ZCIEA Press Statement on 30-Day lockdown by the Government of Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Economy Associations (ZCIEA), is deeply concerned with the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and devastated by the loss of lives (including informal economy workers and traders) in the world due to this global pandemic.
ZCIEA partners Gwanda local Authority in the Fight against Gender-based violence
Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Economy Associations intensifies its Campaign against Gender-based violence and harassment through a partnership with Gwanda Municipality 16 Days of Activism Gwanda District launch on the 1st of December 2020.
ZCIEA STATEMENT OF CONCERN ON CONTINUED CRIMINALISATION OF INFORMAL TRADERS
105 vendors arrested in Rusape for vending
Informal economy workers and traders are still being criminalized in Zimbabwe and this led to high incidents of brutal evictions of vendors from their workplaces, arrests, and confiscation of goods by Zimbabwe Republic Police and Municipal Police.
ZCIEA MEMBERS MOVED BY THE ORGANISATION’S RESPONSE TO COVID-19 (As ZCIEA provided personal protective equipment and cash transfers to its members)
During the period between May and 5 July 2020, the Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Economy Associations (ZCIEA) has so far given PPEs and cash transfers to its members from 42 territories countrywide
ZCIEA engages Masvingo City Council Over Partnership to improve Market Stalls for the Informal Economy Workers and Traders
ZCIEA Masvingo Territory led by its leadership, Mashava Territorial President Nomore Sigauke and Secretary General Mr Malaya held a meeting with the Masvingo City Council Acting Town Clerk Mr. Mukaratirwa and Housing Director Mr. Nzvura on the possibilities of a partnership to construct modern markets for informal workers and traders in Masvingo. The meeting was held at Masvingo City Council on the 2nd of July 2020 at 1100hrs.
ZCIEA supported its membership in Gwanda through Provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs)
Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Economy Associations upscaled its fight against COVID-19 through the provision of personal protective equipment which includes hand sanitizers, masks, latex gloves, Infra-red thermometers, and COVID-19 Awareness information posters. On 10 June 2020, the Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Economy Associations (ZCIEA) donated personal protective equipment to its members in Gwanda Territory.
Lockdown effects hit hard on informal economy traders
Members of the informal sector whose hopes of survival are deeply stuck on their daily earnings have been severely affected by the lockdown restrictions. The uncertain nature of the lockdown has been characterized by the shocking scenes that vendors have witnessed so far. The lockdown has locked up their means of survival as 80 % of the people depend on hand to the mouth where they make a paltry 1-2USD profit a day.
Being an informal Economy Worker/Trader is still being viewed as Crime in Zimbabwe – ZCIEA Treasurer General bares it all.
Givas Maririmba is the current ZCIEA National Treasurer General and is based in Kwekwe. He became a member of the organisation during its founding year in 2002. Givas is the eldest son in his family and through the informal trading he is managing to take care of his wife, three children, his mother, his sister and some of his sisters children, “ apart from taking care of my wife and children l also take care of my sister’s children here and there if there is need”. He said he couldnot have managed to do all this without the guidance and networking from ZCIEA organisation.
Workers’ Day 2020 Statement- ZCIEA National President Lorraine Sibanda
As we commemorate Worker' Day today, many workers are dispirited by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns necessary to combat the spread of the pandemic.
PRESS STATEMENT FROM INFORMAL ECONOMY TRADERS ASSOCIATIONS ON CUSHIONING FUND AND DEMOLITIONS
We the undersigned associations, concerned about the delays in the payments of the cushioning grants that was supposed to cushion vendors and informal traders; We call upon government through its relevant ministries to provide information on progress made so far. We also call on government through its relevant ministries to immediately release the cushioning fund as the situation is dire for many vendors and informal traders. We also call on government to state the proposed figures that will be disbursed.