MPs hail formalisation of informal economy

Paidamoyo Bore

MEMBERS of the Parliament have hailed the Government for the formalisation of the informal economy.

The legislators believe the strategy will go a long way in improving people’s livelihoods.

This comes after the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare engaged different stakeholders in a bid to implement a national formalisation strategy plan to ensure all informal sectors are transitioned into the formal economy.

Midlands MP, Perseverance Zhou, said the move will promote decent working environments for the informal sector, allowing them to boost their productivity.

“These people have been playing a pivotal role in the economy but they are not being recognised.

“Formalisation will also allow them to export their produce, get loans and benefits, which the formal sector has been receiving,” said Zhou.

Chipinge Central MP, Constance Chihururu, said the programme will ensure informal sector players get pensions.

She said the people from her constituency have been longing for proper jobs.

Founding director of the Labour and Economic Development Research Institute of Zimbabwe, Dr Godfrey Kanyenze, said the strategy has been driven by the inability of the economy to create enough formal jobs for the people.

“There has been a lack of trust and confidence, among social partners, and this undermines the tripartite negotiation mechanism.

“However, this policy will scrap all the difficulties and informal players are assured that the process will be made easier.

“This policy will create decent work for all in an integrated, fully formalised economy and enterprises will be made sustainable,” he said.