ABSTRACT
The steady growth of cities worldwide and deficiencies in income-generating employment compel many in urban Southeast Asia to secure other-than-formal sector livelihood opportunities. These work options often entail individuals engaging in enterprises positioned at the margins of the law and society. Such workers usually lack protection from formal state regulations, enjoy few substantive rights, and rely on what is often referred to as the “informal economy” for their subsistence needs. Despite their growing numbers and vital contributions to urban economies, these individuals remain politically marginalized as they are frequently portrayed by the judiciary and broader popular media as “illegal” workers. When organized, their associations may lack de facto recognition from authorities irrespective of members’ status as legal and formal citizens.
