By Own Correspondent

THE Public Service Labour and Social Welfare Ministry is working on developing the national social protection strategy in a bid to alleviate the struggles faced by informal workers.

The informal sector in Zimbabwe, a substantial portion of the economy, operates outside government monitoring and taxation. It's estimated to contribute 64.1% to Zimbabwe's GDP. This sector includes a wide range of activities, from street vending to small-scale manufacturing.

This follows revelations from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstat) showing that 85,5% of all economic activity now takes place informally—one of the highest rates in sub-Saharan Africa.

 “The ministry is adopting a multi-pronged, evidence-based strategy to extend social protection to the informal sector, recognising that over 85,5% of Zimbabwe’s economy is informalised, according to the third Quarter Labour Force Survey of 2024,” Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Edgar Moyo said recently.

He said a major step taken was the Informal Economy Social Security Needs Assessment Survey, conducted by the National Social Security Authority (Nssa) in partnership with Zimstat sought to identify the needs, perceptions, and challenges of informal sector workers regarding social security. 

Taking advantage of the findings recommendations from the Tripartite Negotiating Forum, particularly the call to include artisanal and small-scale miners, the ministry is pursuing several interventions.

“The ministry is prioritising consultations with informal worker associations to ensure that the design of social protection schemes is inclusive and reflective of actual needs on the ground.

"Additionally, the ministry will roll out public campaigns to inform informal workers about their rights, benefits, and available social security options.”