BCC, ILO partner Government on safe markets development

THE Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has partnered with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development to establish safe trading markets for women and the youths.

The three partners have been working closely with other stakeholders on the refurbishment of small to medium enterprises centre at the OK Mart Complex in Bulawayo.

OK Mart

According to the council’s latest minutes, the local authority has agreed to work with partners on the construction of safe markets in Bulawayo under the Sustainable Enterprise Development for Women and Youth (Sedway).

According to council, the main objective of the safe market project is to provide safe and clean working spaces for women and young entrepreneurs.

This is in recognition of the fact that women are immensely contributing to the growth of the economy but lack proper workplaces to do their business.

Women also have the burden of taking care of children while incidents of gender-based violence hinder them from performing their economic role effectively.

Safe markets are therefore meant to create a conducive workspace for women by providing access to ablution facilities, gender-based violence stop centres, trading stalls, police posts and play centres for children.

“A council-owned building on stand A of Lot 3A and B measuring 531 square metres has been identified for this type of project meant to accommodate women running medium, micro, small and medium enterprises in the clothing sector,” reads part of the minutes.

Council has said that the proposed project dovetails with its vision and will provide safe, inclusive and resilient workspaces in the city.

The local authority has since resolved to embrace the proposed partnership with ILO and the ministry.

Dr Sithembiso Nyoni minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development

An inter-departmental committee will be constituted to co-ordinate efforts towards the full realisation of the project while a

Memorandum of Understanding will be entered into with ILO and the ministry to guide the project implementation.

After its completion, the project will be donated to the council.

The development comes at a time when informal traders have taken over most roads and pavements in the city causing chaos.

They are selling products ranging from fruits, vegetables, clothing and shoes, among others and motorists now have a torrid time negotiating their way through some of the occupied roads.

This has not only caused congestion in the city but has frustrated established shop owners who feel their businesses are being threatened by informal operations. — chronicle