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Boitumelo Makhurane, Chronicle Reporter
THE National Social Security Authority (Nssa) in partnership with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) are making interventions to provide ablution facilities, water supply and other health facilities to informal traders in food markets.

Nssa in partnership with ILO have identified markets in Bulawayo where ablution facilities and health facilities that contribute to informal traders’ Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) will be built.

Nssa director of OSH Dr Charles Shava said they identified the urgent need for ablution facilities as well as other amenities that are critical in the prevention of the spreading of Covid-19 and other diseases.

‘‘We are working with ILO on providing water supply, personal protective equipment (PPEs) and toilets to food markets in Bulawayo so as to ensure health of the informal traders as they contribute 70 percent of our economy,’’ said Dr Shava.

Nssa and ILO seek to reduce the risk of Covid-19 infection and disease on informal food markets, improve informal sector traders and market visitors’ access to safe water and sanitation.

Some informal food markets have no water source and toilets thereby compromising basic hygiene practices, which are evermore critical in the middle of a deadly global pandemic.

Dr Shava encouraged informal traders to work safely and if they have issues that include OSH to approach Nssa for assistance.

‘‘We encourage informal traders to work safely and also approach Nssa if they have issues that have to do with their occupational health and safety challenges and we will assist them,’’ said Dr Shava.

Ms Rebecca Ncube who is an informal trader said she appreciates the programme led by Nssa and ILO to protect them.

‘‘I am grateful for this programme as they identified our plight as informal traders. The situation in food markets is unhygienic as we have no water sources and toilets in which people end up relieving themselves in the markets causing an odour that chases customers,’’ said Ms Ncube.

She added that the provision of toilets and water will lower the risk of them contracting Covid-19 and other diseases.

‘‘The provision of toilets and water will lower the risk of traders and our customers from contracting Covid-19 and other diseases,’’ said Ms Ncube. — @Boity104