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| VISET director Samuel Wadzai |
TellZim Reporter
The
Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET) today
(November 14,2019) commemorates the International Vendors Day celebrating the
significant contribution street vendors make towards their local economies.
Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET) today
(November 14,2019) commemorates the International Vendors Day celebrating the
significant contribution street vendors make towards their local economies.
The
day was first celebrated on the November 12, 2012 under the banner of Street
Net International.
day was first celebrated on the November 12, 2012 under the banner of Street
Net International.
In a statement, VISET said that this year’s
commemorations are taking place against the backdrop of
commemorations are taking place against the backdrop of
the declaration of war
on vendors’ livelihoods by the authorities.
on vendors’ livelihoods by the authorities.
“This year, the day is being commemorated under the
theme: ‘Unity Is Our Strength’. Street trading
theme: ‘Unity Is Our Strength’. Street trading
is thriving and growing in harsh
economic times, so we can no longer overlook that street vendors are
economic times, so we can no longer overlook that street vendors are
an
integral part of urban economies around the world, offering easy access to a
wide range of goods
integral part of urban economies around the world, offering easy access to a
wide range of goods
and services in public spaces.
“It should be acknowledged that street trading is an
ancient and important occupation found in
ancient and important occupation found in
virtually every country and major
city around the world.
city around the world.
“Street
vending has been seen as a nuisance by many local municipalities and their
right to earn decent livelihoods is always under threat by unfavorable by-laws
and municipal regulations. Urban policies and local economic development
strategies rarely prioritize livelihood security (social protection) for informal
workers.
“Urban renewal projects and infrastructure upgrades routinely displace
street vendors from natural markets, leaving the most vulnerable without a
suitable workplace,” reads the statement.
VISET
called on the government to accept that vendors are not the enemy but should
work on policies that accommodate the trade.
called on the government to accept that vendors are not the enemy but should
work on policies that accommodate the trade.
“Good
practice documentation shows vendors can help with urban management challenges
like crime and cleaning. Also, basic infrastructure, shelter, toilets,
electricity and water can improve work environments and make public spaces
safer, more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.
practice documentation shows vendors can help with urban management challenges
like crime and cleaning. Also, basic infrastructure, shelter, toilets,
electricity and water can improve work environments and make public spaces
safer, more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.
“Some
cities are working with street vendors’ organizations to formulate innovative
policies, programmes and practices that enable vendors to have a voice in making
their cities more inclusive.
cities are working with street vendors’ organizations to formulate innovative
policies, programmes and practices that enable vendors to have a voice in making
their cities more inclusive.
“The
year 2019 has not been an easy year for street vendors. It was a year when the
government declared war on the vending enterprise through directives by
Municipalities that all vendors be removed from the Central Business Districts
of major towns and cities.
year 2019 has not been an easy year for street vendors. It was a year when the
government declared war on the vending enterprise through directives by
Municipalities that all vendors be removed from the Central Business Districts
of major towns and cities.
“We
saw Municipal and Zimbabwe Republic Police using force and arresting thousands
of vendors as a response to the directive. More than 4 500 of our members
reported various forms of human rights abuses. Arrests, imprisonment, and
prosecution of hundreds of street vendors also characterized the year.
saw Municipal and Zimbabwe Republic Police using force and arresting thousands
of vendors as a response to the directive. More than 4 500 of our members
reported various forms of human rights abuses. Arrests, imprisonment, and
prosecution of hundreds of street vendors also characterized the year.
“Our
goods were confiscated and some of us were assaulted. Municipal police officers
solicited bribes from us, which ranged from cash to kind. Some of our female colleagues reported sexual
harassment and abuse wherein they had to provide sexual favours in return for
their confiscated goods or for places in designated vending sites,” said VISET
in a statement.
goods were confiscated and some of us were assaulted. Municipal police officers
solicited bribes from us, which ranged from cash to kind. Some of our female colleagues reported sexual
harassment and abuse wherein they had to provide sexual favours in return for
their confiscated goods or for places in designated vending sites,” said VISET
in a statement.
VISET
believes that while the government has a responsibility to decongest the cities
and confine vending to designated sites, this has to be done in a manner that
does not infringe on street vendors right to livelihoods.
believes that while the government has a responsibility to decongest the cities
and confine vending to designated sites, this has to be done in a manner that
does not infringe on street vendors right to livelihoods.
