THE government says it is setting up hotlines and community focal points to enable informal traders to report concerns directly, amid growing calls for policy frameworks that uphold dignity, inclusion, and decent work.
This follows Cabinet’s recent approval of the National Formalisation Strategy, alongside the National Employment Policy (2026–2030), aimed at transitioning informal workers into the formal economy while enhancing worker rights and social protection. Speaking at the Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET) National Care Symposium, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare deputy minister Mercy Dinha said the initiative seeks to recognise, reduce, and reward unpaid care work.
“We are establishing monitoring and feedback mechanisms, including hotlines and community focal points.
“This is not just us speaking to you; it is about capturing your concerns to refine our message and ensure the strategy works for you to ensure effective two-way dialogue.
“As we move from policy to implementation, our focus is clear. We will be engaging all players, including informal sector associations, in the implementation process.
“It is vital that we are all moving in the same direction, ensuring that the voices of those on the ground are heard and integrated into our actions.
“We will combine national leadership endorsement with mass-media outreach, digital engagement, and community activations directly in our markets.
“All materials and activities will be adapted into local languages and accessible formats. This ensures we reach everyone, including women, youth, rural entrepreneurs and persons with disabilities.”
Dinha emphasised the importance of coordinated efforts, including public-private partnerships, in promoting formalisation.
“This transformation cannot be achieved by the government alone. The success of the National Formalisation Strategy will depend on strong and sustained partnerships,” she said.
“The Ministry of Finance is actively working to cut registration costs and simplify compliance to ensure that the path to formality is affordable for every entrepreneur.
“Through the National Social Security Authority (NSSA), we are working on extending social protection to the informal sector. This ensures that workers who were previously excluded can now access social security benefits, providing a vital safety net for themselves and their families
“We therefore call upon development partners, the private sector, financial institutions, social partners and informal sector organizations to play an active role through financial support, technical expertise, innovation and collective action,”Dinha added.