Adversities in street vendors' livelihood and their coping strategies in kathmandu, nepal

Present study aims at analyzing the adversities in street vendors' livelihoods and coping strategies adopted for their livelihood security. The study is based on first-hand data collected through a field survey during February 2013 covering 179 fruit vendors from 11selected locations. The study revealed that the vulnerabilities faced by the street vendors are varied in nature associated with occupational security, urban amenities and others. Out of total respondents, 75.4 percent have reported problems associated to security of their vending goods and cash. More than 22 percent have been suffered from health problems due to unhealthy working environment including lack of urban amenities. Besides, they have been threatened by local shopkeepers and inhabitants. They have adopted varieties of measures to cope with these adverse situations to secure their occupational rights and survival base. The coping strategies adopted by street vendors include devotion of longer time, involvement of family members on other occupations, unethical measures to secure from police and rowdy persons and sharing accommodation to reduce economic burden.