By Own Correspondent

VETERAN labour economist, Godfrey Kanyenze says the current economic growth plans and employment creation strategies underway, will not achieve much considering that a total 67% of the population are residing in rural areas, a place widely ignored by policy interventions.

Presenting his thought provoking excerpts in latest book titled, “Leaving So Many Behind- The Link Between Politics and the Economy in Zimbabwe”, the renowned scholar drills down on the need to pay attention to areas beyond the cities.

“As much as 67% of the population lives in rural areas, and 76% of total employment is informal, both deriving their livelihoods from subsistence activities. This implies that the economy is locked in a low productivity and low income trap.

“The vast majority cannot save and invest due to the survivalist nature of their work. It was also shown that this structural distortion implies that even in the presence of growth, the economy is unable to absorb the vast numbers of the un- and under-employed into the mainstream economy,” said Kanyenze.

He says given the predominance of informal employment in Zimbabwe and its diversity, it is therefore essential to design coherent and integrated strategies to facilitate transition to formality in line with ILO Recommendation, 2015 (No. 204) ‘Transition from the Informal to the Formal Economy’.

“The transition to formalisation will improve the chances of those in informal employment of being included, reducing vulnerability, and enhance the performance of their activities.

“To do so requires an understanding of the diversity of characteristics, circumstances and needs of workers and economic units in the informal economy, and hence the need for tailored approaches.

“In addition, it is also necessary to pay special attention to those most vulnerable to the most serious decent work deficits in the informal economy e.g. women, young people, migrants, older people, persons living with HIV or affected by HIV or AIDS, persons with disabilities,” said Kanyenze.

He added that, this integrated policy response takes into account the two main categories of informal employment (self- and wage employment) as well as the three main responses to informality.

“Regulation would involve adopting appropriate regulations for both enterprises and employment relations that balance economic efficiency and social redistribution goals. Protection of the working poor in the informal economy largely,” added Kanyenze.