Vulnerability and Survival Strategy by Food Street Vendors: Case Study in Triangle Gold of DKI Jakarta

Abstract

Street vendor (Pedagang Kaki Lima - PKL) is the most incarnation of the informal economy with the biggest role even at the state level. Unfortunately, PKL is blamed as the source of problems and surrounded by the threat of eviction which still happened in DKI Jakarta as the symbol and magnet of development in Indonesia. The qualitative method is used with study cases empowered by life history for revealing the vulnerability and survival strategy of the PKL household. The result shows the unforeseeable fact that PKL in Triangle Gold of DKI Jakarta potentially can reach income as same as regional minimum wage in DKI Jakarta. At the same time, the eviction and number of customers are the PKL’s vulnerability factors. Social capital is essential to start a new job or business as PKL, while strengthened by push and pulling factors to migrate from rural to city. Bridging and bonding with stakeholders through adaptation with the changing rule are the PKL’s main strategies to survive; besides preserving the identity and norms of PKL boost the adhesion of the PKL community to encounter a hard time. Beyond that, resignation value to God and effort for growing are determinant aspects that differ between PKL who have more or less revenue.