Naloba slams proposed prohibition of home shops
The Namibia Local Business Association (Naloba) has condemned plans by the City of Windhoek to shut down home shops, saying such acts will increase already high unemployment rates.
Naloba vice-president, Peter Amadhila, made these remarks on Monday during a media briefing in Ongwediva.
Amadhila said the proposal by the municipality to prohibit commercial activities in residential areas would leave hundreds of people jobless and without an income.
His comments come after the Windhoek municipality announced last week that a new municipal policy has been proposed to phase out commercial activities such as home-shop operations at residential properties in Windhoek.
Shock waves
The City also indicated that it was turning down new applications for home-based businesses.
Amadhila said the decision has sent shock waves throughout the country, especially in Windhoek.
He said home shops – registered or non-registered – offer a primary source of income to put bread and butter on the table for many in Windhoek and have become micro enterprises that offer employment opportunities.
"Many doctors, engineers, teachers and other professionals are moulded with the financial support from the home shops selling beer, kapana and fat cakes," he said.
Amadhila said such decisions are made without the consultation of those who are most affected by these policies.
Inclusion
He suggested that if municipalities and town councils establish affordable marketing or commercial outlets in accessible areas, people will have no need to resort to home businesses.
“But because these services are not provided to the people, many residents convert their garages and rooms into home shops,” he said.
He added that many Naloba members, or prospective members, operate shops from their homes.
“Thus, Naloba will ensure that they protect the interests of every business person. The City of Windhoek should take note and respect the contributions made by this microeconomic sector in our society,” he stressed.
[email protected]
Naloba vice-president, Peter Amadhila, made these remarks on Monday during a media briefing in Ongwediva.
Amadhila said the proposal by the municipality to prohibit commercial activities in residential areas would leave hundreds of people jobless and without an income.
His comments come after the Windhoek municipality announced last week that a new municipal policy has been proposed to phase out commercial activities such as home-shop operations at residential properties in Windhoek.
Shock waves
The City also indicated that it was turning down new applications for home-based businesses.
Amadhila said the decision has sent shock waves throughout the country, especially in Windhoek.
He said home shops – registered or non-registered – offer a primary source of income to put bread and butter on the table for many in Windhoek and have become micro enterprises that offer employment opportunities.
"Many doctors, engineers, teachers and other professionals are moulded with the financial support from the home shops selling beer, kapana and fat cakes," he said.
Amadhila said such decisions are made without the consultation of those who are most affected by these policies.
Inclusion
He suggested that if municipalities and town councils establish affordable marketing or commercial outlets in accessible areas, people will have no need to resort to home businesses.
“But because these services are not provided to the people, many residents convert their garages and rooms into home shops,” he said.
He added that many Naloba members, or prospective members, operate shops from their homes.
“Thus, Naloba will ensure that they protect the interests of every business person. The City of Windhoek should take note and respect the contributions made by this microeconomic sector in our society,” he stressed.
[email protected]
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article