VENDORS Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation
(VICET) director Samuel Wadzai yesterday slammed the government for failing to
come up with a relief strategy for the informal sector when it relaxed lockdown
measures.
“It is really saddening that we were left out despite the
fact that we contribute more to the economy now than some of the sectors that
have been allowed to reopen. We had hoped that government would consider
allowing vendors to also open, but with stringent conditions to curb the spread
of Covid-19. Control mechanisms should have been put in place because as it is
now, despite the attempts to save lives, vendors will lose theirs to hunger as
they have nothing to eat now,” Wadzai said.
Opposition MDC Alliance secretary for projects, livelihoods
and entrepreneurship, Sesel Zvidzai, accused the government of showing bias against
informal traders by announcing an “elitist” strategy to contain the spread of
coronavirus.
“The announcement of a further 14 days extension under the
new restrictions seems to have favoured the rich and privileged only at the
expense of the long-suffering poor marginalised masses such as those in the
informal sector. The lockdown extension will without doubt exacerbate the
plight of the majority of poor urbanites whose livelihoods are hinged on
vending and other informal activities,” Zvidzai said in a statement. Daily News
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