The informal sector has asked the government to consider phased re-opening for their small businesses as their livelihoods have been affected by the indefinite lockdown, The Herald reports
Zimbabwe Chamber for Informal Economy Associations Secretary-General, Mr Wisborn Malaya spoke to the publication and said the government could implement a phased reopening scheme to allow informal traders to earn a living:
A phased approach is more realistic, achievable, manageable, and appreciated. This must include practical, operational conditions from the Government. The same conditions Government set for the formal sector where other expected health settings are work in progress should apply.
A phased approach is more realistic, achievable, manageable, and appreciated. This must include practical, operational conditions from the Government. The same conditions Government set for the formal sector where other expected health settings are work in progress should apply.
Malaya justified his request by detailing how informal traders have been affected by the indefinite lockdown:
People are suffering. Their income, capital and source of livelihood has been lost. Some people now have high blood pressure; gender based violence has increased; debts have been incurred on rentals and bills. Some are even borrowing food.
The elderly who depended on the support of their children are in deep trouble. The same challenges are affecting children so families are now surviving on one meal per day
The government allowed formal business to resume operations but barred informal traders from returning to their workplaces. However, some informal traders have resumed trading in clear defiance of the lockdown restrictions imposed by the government.
-the herald
