In this article we analyze three main methodological questions that arise when worker movements try to leverage numbers, statistics and data analysis to improve their material conditions and why data is power for street and market vendors.

On October 7th, we had a webinar titled “The importance of statistics on street and market vendors”. During this event Joann Vanek, statistical expert and consultant for WIEGO, presented the study she co-curated titled “Street Vendors and Market Traders in 12 Countries: A Statistical Profile”. The article is part of the series of WIEGO Statistical Briefs. The discussion gave us the chance to reflect on the data collection work within our organisation. In this article we present some of the reflections that arose from the debate.

Collecting data on informal or popular economies, a domain that is often invisibilised by institutional datasets, might seem like an impossible task. One major challenge is the lack of formal documentation and records, as many transactions occur outside official channels. Additionally, the diverse and fluid nature of informal economies makes it difficult to create standardized data collection methods. Moreover, there are often issues of trust and access, as individuals may be hesitant to provide information to researchers or authorities

1) We need to build a practice of data collection in the labour movement

Getting used to collecting data is, indeed, a challenge. Movements, associations and trade unions should build solid internal practices to turn information into knowledge. In the case of street and market vendors, this might require a shift in perspective. Street and market vendors are among the most used people to deal with numbers in their work: every day they count parcels, money, ingoing and outgoing goods in their businesses. They work with data every day, albeit they might not be aware of it. Such knowledge can be applied to political work, too For example, trade unions and workers’ associations can start to maintain a specific log of their members, of the types of goods they sell (for example: food or non-food items, appliances, clothes), if they are men or women. Very simple data can become extremely useful once collected, offering a very clear picture of the situation of street vendors in a city, a region or a state.

2) We should apply a bottom up approach that centers workers’ voices

Building alliances with researchers and universities is key. But it is equally important for street vendors’ organizations to keep centering on the workers’ voices. The stories told through the information collected should be the ones of the workers. Giving data to external organizations, being those NGOs, universities and research institutes should never turn into an extractive process. That is why it is important for representatives of informal economy workers, such as StreetNet and its affiliates to collect their own internal data, as we do every year when we compile our Global Report.

3) We must use data for advocacy – data is power for street and market vendors!

Data is a phenomenal tool for advocacy. It can be used to approach government officials during meetings. Robust data will help us fight against objections that officials might present such as “this is only anecdotal evidence” or to bust myths that damage informal economy workers. As Carmen Roca, coordinator of the Lima Focal city explained during our webinar, thanks to data we can give new meaning to our demands. Asking for formalization is not a concession done to a handful of workers, but a structural change that a majority of people are asking for. Informal economy workers are many: over 2 billion in the world. This number represents our own power. Familiarity with data in advocacy spaces strengthens the workers courage. As Ela Bhatt, founder of SEWA used to say: “We are poor, but we are so many”. Numbers are our strength, and we can learn how to use them strategically.

(Cover image: Street vendors in Maputo, Mozambique. Credits Margarida Teixeira.)