Online Reporter
President Mnangagwa on Wednesday met representatives of vendors at State House and discussed issues affecting the sector. Cde Mnangagwa emphasised during the meeting that Government’s attempt to formalise the informal sector should not be perceived as a threat as it is meant to bring order and sanity to the sector.
He said Government’s doors remain open to vendors and others in the informal sector as Government appreciates that the sector plays a vital role in the country’s economic development.
“As we are all aware, the informal sector plays a crucial role in Zimbabwe’s economy, providing livelihoods for millions of citizens.
However, there have been some worrisome trends affecting the sector which if left unchecked will have dire ripple effects on the country and overshadow the important role of this critical sector,” said President Mnangagwa.
He said the attempt by the Government to formalise the informal sector is meant to create decent work spaces and as such was not a threat to the survival of vendors and others in the informal sector. President Mnangagwa said Government is always ready to hear vendors’ concerns hence its doors are always open.
He urged vendors and others in the informal sector to complement Government efforts to bring order and sanity to the sector as it moves to formalise and modernise the sector which he described as very crucial to economic development. President Mnangagwa said all sectors of the economy have an obligation to contribute to the country’s development for the benefit of not only the present generation but the future generations as well. He called for free and frank dialogue between Government and those in the informal sector towards realisation of national goals. “Let our dialogue be guided by the true spirit of nation-building and the national interest,” said President Mnangagwa.
He said Government on its part was committed to facilitate the establishment of convenient and accessible decent work spaces for vendors.
President Mnangagwa who said maintenance of order was non-negotiable, said the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works was directed to work with councils and the private sector to build market stalls and decent work spaces for vendors.
The obtaining chaos in many cities and towns cannot be allowed to continue and we hope vendors and others in the informal sector appreciate the Government’s concerns. It is the responsibility of councils to ensure there is orderliness especially in the Central Business Districts.
This law of the jungle is a recipe for disaster hence councils should act fast to address the issue of providing decent work spaces for vendors and others in the informal sector. A few years ago Zimbabwe witnessed an outbreak of cholera in most cities and towns that claimed thousands of lives and we do not want a repeat of this. Pavements should be cleared of vendors and no vendors should be allowed to operate in front of shops. Agreed, the informal sector contributes significantly to the economic growth of a developing country like ours but this should not be a licence to operate in undesignated places.
The Government is cognisant of the fact that the informal sector is a source of livelihood for many families hence President Mnangagwa on Wednesday met the representatives of the vendors to hear their concerns.
Bongani Moyo