By Own Correspondent

LEAD President Linda Masarira says the country’s informal workers must be treated with due respect following their years long commitment to the functioning of the country’s economy.

The size of Zimbabwe's informal economy is estimated to be 64.1% which represents approximately $42 billion at gross domestic product (GDP) purchasing power parity (PPP) levels. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that almost 5.2 million people trade in the informal economy in Zimbabwe, a sizeable of whom are women.

Speaking to The Worker on the sidelines of the May 1 commemorations at Dzivarasekwa Stadium, Masarira expressed gratitude to the country’e informal sector.

“As the LEAD President I would like to express heartfelt gratitude to the millions of informal workers across Zimbabwe, the vendors, cross-border traders, domestic workers, artisanal miners, small-scale farmers, transport operators, and countless others who form the invisible spine of our economy.

You rise each day in the face of adversity, operating without social security, often without recognition, and yet your resilience fuels families, communities, and the nation at large,” she said.

Masarira said in a country where formal employment opportunities are scarce, it is  the informal worker, who has kept Zimbabwe’s economy alive and vibrant.She said the sector’s hardwork  deserves more than just celebration; it demands inclusion in national policies, access to health care, pension schemes, safe working conditions, and the dignity that every worker is entitled to.

“Today, we salute your determination, your sacrifices, and your spirit.You are the true heroes of our economy. Let us continue to fight for a Zimbabwe where all work is valued, and no worker is left behind,” she added.