CNTS: REPORT, 2007
After the StreetNet
workshop held in Saly, which had the main objective to
inform African unionists of the informal sector on the need to equip their
leaders with tools of how to anticipate conflict, but also to equip them with
tools in terms of collective bargaining.
Therefore participants have
organised activities in their countries, on which we were to reportback. The women committee of CNTS, which includes
informal workers among its members, has sensitised its members on the need for
such training in order to better manage conflicts with local government.
- The economic interest group and Dimbalante de Pikine
who are active in the transformation of local cereals in the urban area of
- Moreover, members in the funding structures of
savings and credit mutuelles (Meczonfop and Mecso) of CNTS
have organised information-sharing meetings.
- It is important to note that the role of those mutuelles consists mainly in providing funding capital for income-generating activities of women workers of SEI.
- Despite their limited means, they greatly
contribute to attract workers to join our union.
Also,
Early in the morning, police officers have occupied the trading streets, the usual work places for hawkers, harassing, chasing them and throwing teargas bombs at them. Then fighting ensued, which caused arrests, injuries and enormous loss for vendors.
Because they are considered bona
fide workers; our confederation strongly protested to the authorities
denouncing the police brutality through declarations and communiqués, inviting
the government to negotiate. This enabled street vendors to conduct their
activities decently in the streets of the city.
In order to respond to the
pressing demand of street vendors to have decent working sites, the mayor
promised 3000 places in the next six months and sites like Petersen, Colobane, Cerf, Volant will be prepared to accommodate
those workers. A study is underway which will hopefully result in 2000 places
being made available on the main arteries of
Aware of the importance of the informal working population, we approached institutions in charge of social protection so that their concerns can be dealt with.
The StreetNet exchange visit between SEWA and CNTS where the experience that was shared on projects for social protection and saving mutuelles of informal economy workers is useful for both organisations.