Edward Manning, the president, said some by-laws needed to be revisited to suit a growing informal sector spawned by company closures and the current macro-economic crisis.
“Section 24 of the new constitution clearly stipulates that restrictions that inhibit or prevent people from working or otherwise engaging in gainful economic activities should be removed. We need archaic and outdated laws such as the Hawkers and Vending Act to be abolished. They have completely lost touch with the harsh economic reality on the ground,” said Manning, a former councillor.
He said several members of his association had been harassed and arrested by police while trying to make an honest living by selling goods in the streets.
“We need to address the issue of our economy first before chasing hardworking citizens from the streets like criminals. A hungry man is an angry man and something must be done as a matter of urgency these,” warned Manning.
ZCIEA is made up of self-employed and informal employees engaged in small unregistered enterprise. It was formed in 2002 as a direct response to the decline in formal sector productivity.
Post published in: Business