The Impact of Harassment on Informal Economy Workers in Zimbabwe
In March 2025, the Zimbabwean government issued an ultimatum: the street vendors had to be removed from the streets. But through their union they continue to stand up for their right to a dignified living, free from violence. Article by Nancy Likiripa, Regional Communicator. In Zimbabwe, informal economy workers, particularly street and market vendors, constitute […]
What does tax justice look like for street and market vendors?
What does tax justice look like for street and market vendors and in general for workers in the informal economy? Here are some critical considerations that can help guide a discussion.
The Zimbabwean government evicts informal economy workers in a new wave of violence against its citizens
Evictions of informal traders on a mass scale are happening in various provinces. Our affiliate ZCIEA is organizing against this wave of state violence. StreetNet calls for an immediate stop to all evictions and for equitable negotiations.
Statement on the racist murder of a street vendor in Italy
As StreetNet International, a global alliance of organizations of street vendors fighting for decent work free of harassment and violence, we are horrified with the murder of Comrade. Alika Ogorchukwu and demand that the perpetrator be brought to justice! On 29 July, 2022 afternoon a street vendor of Nigerian nationality, Alika Ogorchukwu (39 years old), […]
All you need to know about informal cross-border trade
Informal cross-border traders are extremely important for national economies, especially in Africa, but they suffer from extortion, harassment and violence. Read the key findings and testimonies of a StreetNet-led project for the rights of informal cross-border traders to know how we can change this situation!
Street vendor violently attacked in Accra, Ghana, struggles to pay medical bills to treat injuries inflicted by local authorities
Solomon Ansah is a 32-year-old street vendor working in Accra, Ghana. He sells footwear at a spot on the Spintex road known as Flowerpot, a busy street opposite the Palace Shopping Mall, along with many other informal traders. Solomon is married with three children, with a fourth child on the way. He turned to the […]
STATEMENT BY UNION OF INFORMAL WORKERS’ASSOCIATIONS (UNIWA) OF TUC (GHANA)
On Thursday 15th of July, 2021, armed uniform men from the Ghana Police Service in what can be described as a guerilla warfare style, brutally assaulted Solomon Ansah a 32year old Street Vendor who is married with three children. According to Solomon, his only crime for which the Police Service swiftly responded with instant justice […]
3 things you should know about violence against women street vendors – and how to combat it
On December 7, 2020, StreetNet organized a live Facebook webinar about the importance of ratifying the Convention 190 of the International Labor Organization on Violence and Harassment. This landmark international instrument has rallied organizations of women workers all over the world through the hashtag #RatifyC190, but for many its relevance for women informal workers, and […]
Informal traders are not criminals: stop police violence in Zimbabwe!
You can also listen to an audio version of this article in our podcast. Listen here >> Sunday, July 5, was supposed to be just another day for informal traders in Chitungwiza, a suburb in Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare. Informal traders in Zimbabwe always had to struggle with harassment from police officers. Even though most of […]
StreetNet position on the “Ending Violence and Harassment in the World of Work”
108th Session of the International Labour Conference: Ending Violence and Harassment in the World of Work Position Paper on the Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work This document is based on the recommendations of the Parallel Commission on “Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work”, which convened during […]
