Abstract

LUNA ACEVEDO, Héctor. Social trajectory of young merchants in Santiago de Chile and El Alto. Temas Sociales [online]. 2023, n.52, pp.95-125.  Epub May 31, 2023. ISSN 0040-2915.  https://doi.org/doi.org/10.53287/mtfs1742bx21v.

The article aims to explain the social trajectory of young merchants in Santiago de Chile and El Alto Bolivia. The study is the result of qualitative research, through open interviews and life stories of young people between 18 and 30 years of age in the two case studies. This allows us to know the precarious labor trajectories and the transition to street trading conceived as free work. Factors that make up those trajectories are the first working experience, and seeking freelance work through trade. Finally, it is shown that commerce is an employment channel, both for young immigrants and Chileans in Santiago, as well as for young Bolivians in El Alto.

Keywords : Youth; social trajectory; informal commerce; job instability; immigrant vendors; Santiago-Chile; El Alto-La Paz-Bolivia..

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