Over 70% of Zambians work in the ‘informal economy’, surviving on less than $2 a day. Local authorities demand that market workers pay rent but don't provide adequate services such as water or sanitation in return, and many street traders are harassed and moved on.
Zambia used to be one of the wealthiest African countries, but when copper prices nose-dived in the 1970s it was plunged into crisis. Following World Bank advice, Zambia carried out severe cuts in health and education spending and privatised all government-owned services.
The proportion of the population that lives in poverty has increased from four percent to over fifty percent, and Zambia's Human Development Index (a UN measure of poverty) dropped steadily over three decades, resulting in Zambia being ranked 166th out of 177 countries in 2003.
As a result of the massive job losses suffered over the past 30 years, four million Zambians (over a third of the population) now struggle to survive through small-scale trading and street vending. People in informal employment are unable to pursue their economic and social interests because they lack protection and adequate representation, leaving them marginalised and vulnerable to exploitation.
War on Want works with the Alliance for Zambia Informal Economy Associations (AZIEA) that was formed to promote the rights of market and street vendors, to ensure that they participate in community and national development schemes, and to give them a voice in policy formulation. AZIEA also provides educational training for informal workers and their communities.
| AZIEA's successes |
- Over 100 leadership training courses were run, teaching 1,438 workers leadership, organisational and legal skills.
- 56 marketing and financial training workshops were organised to instruct market workers and vendors in business management and increase their understanding of marketing and how to improve business.
- Several public meetings were organised throughout Zambia highlighting the difficulties faced by street and market workers, drawing support from AZIEA’s affiliated organisations and members of local and national government
- Over the year AZIEA continued to create links with other unions and associations and exchange ideas and experiences, so as to increase their presence and legitimacy
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| The Facts |
- Zambia is ranked 166th of 177 countries on the UNDP's Human Development Index
- Growth rates were negative from 1991-98, and GDP per capita declined from US$375 in 1980 to US$305 in 1990 and US$257 in 1995
- The informal sector currently employs 78.2% of the country's estimated total labour force of 4.2 million people
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