In every bustling market, beneath the colorful umbrellas of street vendors and amidst the humming engines of motorcycles and tricycles winding through narrow streets, lies an untapped wealth of resilience, creativity, and hard work. These are the informal workers: a silent majority, often overlooked and underestimated, yet undeniably vital to the economy. They are more than just cogs in the wheel; they are the lifeblood of many communities, carrying skills, aspirations and an undeniable desire for a better life. Too often, however, these individuals are treated as if they are lesser-minded, easily manipulated by fleeting promises or swayed by short-term gain.
But from my experience engaging with them, nothing could be further from the truth.
The informal sector is a force that propels everyday life in our communities. Market vendors, construction laborers, PUV drivers, sari-sari store owners and all manner of small-scale one-man entrepreneurs make up this vast, yet often invisible workforce. These men and women are smart and hardworking; they know their rates, they negotiate, they adjust to market changes and, most importantly, they dream. They dream of owning homes, of sending their children to college, of expanding their small businesses into something sustainable and significant.
Yet, there is a prevailing notion that informal workers can be fooled, manipulated into supporting leaders whose only offer is short-term relief – the short-lived and limited relief of cash handouts, ayuda or gifts. In election seasons, entertainment, showmanship and promises of instant gratification are frequently employed to sway votes. The perception persists that the informal worker is susceptible to such tactics, a simplistic view that misses the depth of understanding and awareness these individuals hold about their situation.
In the course of my interactions with these workers, I have seen firsthand the depth of their opinions, their frustrations and their vision for their own future. Contrary to the stereotype that they are merely passive recipients of aid, informal workers often articulate clearly what they truly need: opportunities that empower them to lift themselves out of poverty.
What they want is not merely survival, but dignity. Dignity through decent work, respect and the ability to stand on their own. They know, as well as any economist or policy maker, that one-time financial relief will not pave the way out of poverty. What they need are concrete policies that create lasting economic opportunities, public services that are accessible and a level playing field that allows them to transition from informality to formality.
The informal worker knows their worth; they know that their labor has value, and they know how to navigate the complexities of their environment. They are entrepreneurs who understand profit margins, workers who know how to hustle for extra hours, negotiators who drive hard bargains for their skills.
The root of the misconception surrounding informal workers often lies in learned helplessness – a cycle in which individuals, after years of neglect and disenfranchisement, begin to feel powerless to change their circumstances. After generations of being ignored by systems of power, it is understandable that some have come to believe their voices do not matter. However, this belief in their own disempowerment is not because they are inherently incapable; it is because they have not been given the opportunity to see otherwise.
In my conversations with them, a different truth emerges: these individuals are more than ready to embrace change when it is offered to them in an authentic and practical form. They are not lazy or ignorant; they are survivors of a system that has failed to provide them with the opportunities they need to thrive. Time and time again, they express their desire for change – not in the form of short-term aid, but in meaningful interventions that pave the way for long-term success.
Education, therefore, becomes a critical piece of the puzzle. It is not just about formal schooling, but about empowering individuals to understand their rights, their potential and the power they hold collectively. Informal workers can be empowered with knowledge – not in the paternalistic sense of giving them information, but in engaging in genuine dialogue that allows them to express their needs, question empty promises and chart their own course.
Imagine a future where informal workers are equipped with financial literacy, where they have the skills to grow their businesses or transition into formal employment. Imagine a system where vocational training is accessible, enabling them to elevate their craft and earn more. When empowered with the right knowledge and tools, informal workers have the potential to be a formidable force for change.
The narrative must shift from one of paternalistic charity to one of partnership. Real, sustainable change requires collective effort – a partnership between informal workers, elected officials, government institutions and even the private sector. Informal workers must be seen as partners in the nation-building process, individuals who are fully capable of contributing to their own upliftment if given the chance.
Policies must address their real needs: health care, accessible education, affordable housing and pathways to formal employment. Microcredit programs could be expanded to support small-scale entrepreneurs. Livelihood training programs could be reoriented to meet market needs and help informal workers grow their businesses. Local governments could facilitate better access to markets, creating a bridge between small vendors and larger-scale buyers.
Above all, informal workers must be empowered to be part of the political conversation – educated to recognize and reject empty promises, encouraged to vote based on policies that truly address their needs and included in discussions about economic and social policy.
Informal workers are not invisible, and they are not powerless. They are a silent majority that keeps our communities functioning, whose labor and perseverance are the bedrock of our society. They have the skills, the dreams and the drive to move forward, but they need allies who see them for what they truly are: resilient, smart and capable.
The challenge for all of us – policymakers, advocates and citizens – is to break the cycle of learned helplessness and provide these workers with real opportunities. To move beyond entertainment and empty promises, to listen, to engage and to empower. The informal worker is not waiting for a savior; they are ready to be part of the solution, to stand up and take their rightful place in the story of progress.
If we truly wish to uplift millions out of poverty, we must see informal workers not as mere recipients of aid but as partners in their own journey to success – a journey that, if supported properly, will benefit all of us.