Agência Brasil GeralyesterdayLabor2 min readBrazil

Street vendors face late nights and long walks to sell products on the Esplanada dos Ministérios in Brasília

Quick Look

Several street vendors, including the clown Renato Siqueira, 53, who sells cotton candy and balloons, and other informal workers such as Gustavo Ferreira and Samuel Santos, face late nights and long walks to sell products on the Esplanada dos Ministérios during the September 7th holiday in Brasília, prioritizing the sustenance of their families.

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Why It Matters

The article describes the routine of street vendors who work at Esplanada dos Ministérios in Brasília, especially on commemorative dates such as the 7th of September, facing long hours and physical effort to sell informal products.

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Balancing 30 kilos of balloons and colorful cotton candy on his left shoulder, in a hurried walk, was the "parade" of the Clown Bolinha, the self-employed Renato Siqueira, 53 years old, on the margins of the parade area on September 7th this year, in Brasília (DF).

In addition to the colorful products, the makeup on the face drips with the sweat from this Monday's rush. "We can't stop. But it's fun."

He has been working in front of schools for eight months. But today he had to wake up at 4:30 am and go looking for customers.

Bolinha the Clown lives in Água Quente (DF), a peripheral administrative region 45 kilometers from Brasília, he was born in Anápolis (GO) and 20 years ago he moved to the capital to work.

He only studied up to the 8th grade. He comes to events like the 7th of September with the hope of improving his income. He can carry the cotton candy (sold for R$10) for more than an hour on the bus, but not the balloons (which cost R$20).

The products that make children's eyes shine are delivered by the manufacturer when he is on the street.

Independence Parade, Children's Day and New Year are among the dates with the most sales. Even with the weight on his back, he prefers his current activity. In my previous job, I earned minimum wage to sell funeral plans. So she decided to live being funny, even if her makeup runs.

Another street vendor who also used his arms and shoulder was Gustavo Ferreira, 30 years old, who balanced dulce de leche and chocolate churros (R$10) carefully so that the filling didn't run out.

On a daily basis, he works as a bus conductor. "I woke up at 4am and we're fighting."

The coconut water sold by Samuel Santos was, according to him, sweet and cold. Getting up early is nothing new for him, as he lives in Planaltina (40 kilometers away) and works regularly as a building doorman.

"I'm trying out these coconut water sales here at Esplanada dos Ministérios. I'm making my debut, actually. If it works out, I'll continue."

Priorities

In fact, the word "continue" is part of this routine. He went straight from working at the entrance to informal commerce on the Esplanada dos Ministérios. There's not much time to have fun. The priority is to provide support for the two children at home.

Under the Brasília sun, 54-year-old Reinivaldo Garcia, from Brejo da Cruz, from Paraíba, sold caps and hats to the public for R$20.

Open Questions

What is the average monthly income of these street vendors?
Do they have access to social benefits or pensions?
Are there specific regulations for informal commerce on the Esplanada dos Ministérios?