LABOUR DYNAMICS IN THE INFORMAL SECTOR: EVIDENCE FROM ZIMBABWE'S URBAN METAL INDUSTRY

The informal sector plays a vital role in the economic development of many countries, particularly in job creation, income generation, and poverty alleviation. In Zimbabwe, the informal sector has experienced significant growth, fueled by economic challenges such as the structural adjustment program (ESAP) and subsequent crises. ESAP led to job losses in both the public and private sectors, while the recent economic and political crisis saw a decline in formal employment opportunities and plummeting real wages due to hyperinflation. Consequently, the expansion of Zimbabwe's informal sector can be attributed to the increasing need to supplement formal incomes amidst dwindling employment prospects. This review examines the dynamics of Zimbabwe's informal sector, exploring its evolution in response to economic changes and its implications for livelihoods and economic resilience