The sociologist and director at the social sciences laboratory, Roberto Briceño León, assured that there is greater autonomy on the part of the population that has sought independent income through side hustles

“20% of families are selling their assets just to get by and cover expenses such as school and healthcare,” said Roberto Briceño León, director at the Social Sciences Laboratory. During a recent event, the sociologist stated that, although some Venezuelans earn more than the minimum wage established of 3.70 us dollars, the high cost of living means that they must look for alternative sources of income.

In this sense, he emphasized that people’s satisfaction with making more money disappears due to the constant increase in the price of products, basic services, and day-to-day problems. “People earn more but they also have to pay more for everything, so they are in constant stress,” he said.

The State’s inability to respond

Briceño León indicated that the rise of small businesses or side hustles among the population is connected to their search for independence. But in this case, it is also a response to the State’s inability to provide for them.

“The message from the groups linked to the Government is that citizens must take responsibility, solve the problems on their own and avoid blaming them. With this phenomenon, people have developed a mechanism of autonomy that leads to their distancing from the Government”, he explains

A clear example is the situation of many teachers in the public sector, who have been forced to leave the classrooms or attend fewer days under the so-called mosaic schedule. In this way, they can dedicate time to other activities that allow them to make an additional income. This schedule is endorsed and permitted by the local schooling authorities.

On the other hand, some see public positions as a way to have connections and contacts despite inadequate remuneration.

“If public officials feel too much pressure at work, they will leave their positions without much thinking because their income depends on their side hustles,” he said.

Greater resignation

Briceño León maintained that there is greater resignation among the population in the face of the deficiencies in the provision of public services by the Government.

“The precariousness of the services or the practice of bringing your own supplies to the hospital is quietly accepted… Customers must bribe the workers of the State-run electricity company to fix any problem with their network,” he exemplified.

In the opinion of the sociologist, this phenomenon has created a sentiment of detachment, especially among those who were sympathetic to Chavismo.

Dollarization

Roberto Briceño León also mentioned that the use of foreign currencies has been normalized both by people and the State.

“In many regions of Venezuela, mostly along the border, the use of Colombian pesos or Brazilian reals in small denominations have facilitated everyday transactions for minor expenses or change.”

Translated by Jose Rafael Medina