Social Exclusion and the Plight of Aging in the Informal Sector in Tanzania: A Case of Arusha Region.

Abstract

This paper examined the problem of social exclusion and the plight of aging in the informal sector in Tanzania. The study was conducted in Themi ya Simba Village, Bwawani ward in Arusha District. Specifically, the study identified aspects which placed older people to the risk of social exclusion and examined the aspects and effects of social exclusion on older people who worked in the informal sector. The study evolved in Purposive sampling and randomly techniques were used involved thirty (30) respondents. Focus group discussion and in-depth interview were the methodology for data collection. The findings raveled that older people who worked in the informal sector are socially excluded based on the economic, health rights, social support and social participation that depicted their vulnerability and impoverishment. The study concluded that, there is inadequate consideration of the older people worked in the informal sector as such they are socially excluded which affect their welfare. Therefore, the Government as the principal actor should collaborate with civil society organization, older people and community at large to revitalize social protection approach, social security systems, and more awareness creation to community and policy review to accommodate older people concerns in Tanzania.

Keywords: Informal sector, older people, social exclusion, social security