Alliance for Zambia Informal Economy Associations (AZIEA)
Workers in the formal economy, such as market- and street vendors, face many difficulties on a daily basis, like for instance harassments from local authorities. AZIEA exists to represent and protect the interest of the workers in the informal economy by challenging unfriendly policies and laws.
Address: P.O. Box 20652, Kitwe
Telephone: +260 0977 799032
Fax:
Email: kashiwalameck@yahoo.com
www:
Contact person: Lameck Kashiwa
Theme: Building Local Democracy
Due to high levels of unemployment in the formal sector in Zambia, more than 80% of the Zambian people have sought an income in the informal sector working as market- and street vendors. Working in the informal economy is, however, associated with many difficulties and insecurity. The workers face the risk of having their goods confiscated, they work under unhealthy conditions often without access to proper toilet facilities, and they are often harassed by both state and council police.
AIZEA fights for the rights, recognition and protection of the workers in the informal economy. This they do by empowering the workers by educating them on their civil, social and worker’s rights as well as through training in negotiation skills, leadership, organization management and conflict resolutions. Furthermore AIZEA lobbies Government on legislation or policies affecting the interests of members in order to make sure that the needs and circumstances of the informal workers are taken into account.