The Impact of Poverty: Community Decisions to Become Scrap Collectors in Kefamenanu City, Nusa Tenggara Timur

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the Influence of socioeconomic factors on individuals’ decisions to become scavengers in the city of Kefamenanu. Using linear regression, this study found that employment and income significantly influence this decision. Of the variables of number of dependents, employment, income, and education level, only employment and income contributed significantly (p < 0.005) to the decision to become a scavenger. In contrast, the number of dependents and education level did not show a significant Influence. These findings emphasize the importance of access to decent work and increased income in improving people’s lives, as well as the need for greater attention to the social factors that shape economic conditions in Kefamenanu. In addition, employment and income contribute, with R-Square indicating that the four variables explain 21.1% of the variation in decisions. The number of dependents creates economic pressure, forcing individuals to seek informal employment, while low levels of education exacerbate the situation. This study provides insights for the government in formulating poverty alleviation strategies.