Story by Bruce Chahwanda
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has noted the importance of developing a framework for structured vendor regulation that balances between urban order and the need for informal traders to earn a living.
He said this when he was engaging vendors’ representatives at the State House in Harare this Wednesday.
The engagement saw the President outlining the importance government attaches to informal traders and their role in the economy while sustaining livelihoods of millions of Zimbabweans.
He emphasised that dialogue must give insights to government officials as they address their grievances and explore policy solutions for the formalisation and modernisation of the sector.
“An attempt by government to formalise your sector, and create decent workplaces should never be seen by vendors and the informal sector as a direct threat to your survival. As a government, our doors are always open and we are always ready to hear your concerns. It is critically important that we develop a framework for structured vendor regulation that balances urban order and the need for you, as vendors, to earn a living,” the President said.
“Policy recommendations and proposals that will emanate from this meeting must be inclusive, practical, and sustainable towards a collaborative approach to urban space management. Be assured that my administration is committed to facilitating the establishment of convenient and accessible decent work spaces for vendors.
“Equally, we recognise the need to avail micro-finance and training as well as to ensure that licensing and permits for vendors and the informal sector are streamlined, in line with our case of doing business reforms.”
Informal traders’ representatives expressed gratitude to the government for the engagement and implored their constituency not to be used by unscrupulous elements to frustrate strategies to bring order and grow the economy.
“We want to make money, and there is no vendor who should be called into demonstrations as that will not bring food on the table. Vendors must continue to obey the laws of the country as the government is moving towards the modernisation of vending structures,” Tuckshop Association’s Secretary, Mr Lovemore Mudzoke said.
“We are happy to meet the country’s leadership and be assured that our concerns are being addressed. As vendors, we must continue to engage with government for the benefit of our business,” Mr Max Mkandla of the Informal Traders an Vendors Association noted.
“Government has pledged to engage local authorities in the construction of state-of-the-art vending stalls, providing vendors with properly designated spaces to conduct their businesses. Vendors have been assured that the police will neither harass nor interfere with their lawful trade, provided that all trading activities remain orderly and within agreed guidelines,” Tuckshop Association’s Secretary Mrs Debra Mutasa said.
Cabinet ministers who attended the engagement revealed plans to construct modern stalls for the informal sector.
The Second Republic is pushing for the formalisation of the informal sector to ensure vendors operate in a structured manner, with the construction of modern stalls with requisite water and sanitation infrastructure high on the priority list.
