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REPORT
STREETNET INTERNATIONAL LAUNCH
Coastlands
Hotel, West Street, Durban, South Africa
(12 – 14 November 2002)
The StreetNet International launch was opened on the evening of 12 November 2002 during a dinner attended by the participants as well as 72 invited guests including local government representatives, researchers and organisations which have been working in co-operation with StreetNet during the three-year preparations for the launch from 2000 – 2002. The function was opened with Christian, Moslem and Hindu prayers by some of the participants.
StreetNet Steering Committee member Mbu Mchunu summarised the work which had been done during the preparation period, and the keynote speech by Durban Deputy Mayor, Logie Naidoo, outlined Durban’s commitment to its policy on the informal economy and welcomed participants to Durban. Ela Bhatt, founder of the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) in India, WIEGO (Women in Informal Employment, Globalising and Organising) international research coalition, HomeNet International alliance of home-based workers, and StreetNet International alliance of street vendors, opened the conference.
In the morning of the second day, Wednesday 13 November 2002, all participants briefly introduced themselves and their organisations (click here to read Participant List).
Constitution
This session was chaired by JP Purshotam of the Legal Resources Centre, and recorded by Pat Horn. The draft constitution which had been circulated and revised, based on comments and suggestions from participants prior to the event, was the basis of the discussion. After discussion, clause by clause, the constitution was adopted unanimously (click to read the Constitution) .
Logo
This session was co-chaired by Asha Moodley, Chairperson of the StreetNet Steering Committee, and Winnie Mitullah, Diractor of WIEGO’s Urban Policies programme. Participants inspected the different logo designs which had been prepared according to the specifications which had been sent beforehand by some organisations. One design was clearly popular among most participants, but there was a long discussion about how to adapt it. It was agreed to adapt it and present it to the first International Congress for final adoption.
Policy resolutions
The following policy resolutions were adopted:
As there was not sufficient time left to discuss these resolutions, it was agreed that they would be typed and circulated to all participants after the launch, with the purpose of tabling them for adoption by the Interim Committee or the International Congress.
Three-year Plan
This session was co-chaired by Pat Horn,
International Co-ordinator of StreetNet, and Marty Chen of the WIEGO
Secretariat. The draft 3-Year Plan
which had been circulated prior to the launch formed the basis for the
discussion.
New regions:
StreetNet should gather information about
areas outside of Latin America, Asia and Africa, particularly the developing
world. Work in these areas,
particularly Central America and the Caribbean, should start based on the
information gathered.
Affiliation fees:
It was agreed that member organisations of
StreetNet should pay a joining fee of $50 on registration, and thereafter an
annual fee which should be proportional to the size of membership. This annual fee should be determined by the Interim Committee
and finalised by the International Congress at its first meeting, due in early
2004.
Law, litigation and the informal economy:
Information should be gathered on
legislation and constitutional provisions in different countries/cities on
livelihood rights, human rights and other provisions, to assist organisations
taking up legal battles. This is
something StreetNet could ask the Law & Informal Economy project of
WIEGO’s Organisation and Representation programme to do.
In many countries there are legal clauses
regarding the right to work and the use and recovery of public space, which are
contradictory in the case of street vendors and their experience, and which need
to be challenged.
In the Philippines there is a very good law
on the rights of street vendors to earn and develop their livelihoods on the
streets – Ordinance 452 – but it is not implemented.
In fact, we have been receiving regular reports about harsh crackdowns on
street vendors in Manila. It was
agreed that StreetNet should pilot a campaign for the implementation of
Ordinance 452 in the Philippines.
International forums:
StreetNet needs to ensure the representation of street vendors’ organisations in international labour forums such as the International Labour conferences of the ILO and the ICFTU, and other forums such as international conferences of Mayors, etc.
Policy dialogues:
There have been policy dialogues in India and Ghana, and as a result in Ahmedabad street vendors are being harassed less than before. It was agreed that policy dialogues should be arranged in more countries.
New street vendors’ Code or Declaration:
The Bellagio Declaration needs to be revised
and updated to produce a new Code, or Declaration, which could be used with
municipalities, and parts of it even incorporated into law.
Social security:
StreetNet needs to meet with WIEGO Social
Security programme about work on the social security needs of street vendors,
market vendors and hawkers specifically. The
focus should be on social protection for mothers, children and the elderly, as
well as business insurance.
Specific projects:
Member organisations wishing to put forward specific proposals for adoption as StreetNet projects, should send detailed proposals. The International Council would have to consider such proposed projects, and if it is agreed that it should be taken on as a StreetNet project, StreetNet would have to allocate existing funds if there are, or try to raise funds for it. Such projects would include the following types of activities:
- marketing projects, including import-export trade between member organisations;
- technical assistance on trade issues;
- reform of laws and regulations;
- organising projects (organising street vendors);
- fights against corruption;
- empowering vendors not to be dependent on intermediaries.
Organisational support:
StreetNet would probably not be able to raise much funding for the expenses of member organisations. However, the best way to build the capacity of member organisations to support themselves would be by StreetNet arranging fundraising training, and providing contact details for donors for member organisations to approach directly for funds. Member organisations will then develop their own independent relationships with donors.
Plight of Korean street vendors:
It was agreed that the story of Park Bong-Gyu, who had immolated himself in protest as a result of the poor treatment received at the hands of the Korean authorities, should be published in the StreetNet newsletter and the website. StreetNet member organisations should hand letters of protest to their Korean embassies and consulates, as requested by the NFSVK. It was pointed out that there are many countries where street vendors are being viciously oppressed, such as in Colombia where large numbers of people are regularly being assassinated, and agreed that details of such oppression should be forwarded to StreetNet for similar publication in the newsletter and website. StreetNet will circulate these reports to member organisations and appeal for international support.
Click here to read revised Three-Year Plan.
Elections
The following Interim Committee was elected
to operate until the first properly constituted International Congress, which is
scheduled to take place in March 2004 according to the Three-Year Plan:
PRESIDENT: Churchill Mrasi Informal Business Forum, Gauteng, SA
VICE-PRESIDENT: Rashim Bedi, SEWA, India
TREASURER: Sara Mungia Union Feminina de Floristas 1936, Bolivia
SECRETARY: Elvis Nkandu Chisala Alliance for Zambian Informal Economy Associations
2. Jacob Woods, Ghana TUC
3. Fikiswa Sifika Eastern Cape Alliance of Street Vendors, SA
The voters’ roll was compiled by the International Co-ordinator, Pat Horn, of participants present whose organisations would qualify to register with StreetNet in terms of the constitution adopted on the previous day. The elections were conducted by the Network of Independent Monitors (NIM).
Conclusion
The StreetNet International launch was
concluded with a short address by the newly-elected president, Churchill Mrasi,
at 1 p.m. on 14 November 2002. A
Press Conference was held after the conference at 3 p.m. on the same day, at
which the results of the launch were announced to the press.
Compiled
by Pat Horn
International
Co-ordinator, November 2002