ALKHOBAR: Municipalities and governorates in the Kingdom are still grappling with the menace of street vendors, despite severe sanctions and fines imposed on them.
The street vendors however say they make a living out of it, while officials believe that selling on roads causes congestion and traffic accidents, besides posing threats to vendors and consumers as well.
Riyadh Municipality has also embarked on providing adequate space for Saudi street vendors, who are unable to hire shops in the public markets.
This has resulted in ensuring fixed locations for them from where they can be easily monitored and followed up by the municipalities. This also enhanced the preservation of public and environmental health, as well as the cultural appearance of the capital.
Mohammad Al-Otaibi, a street vendor, said: “Hawking is very profitable, as you can achieve quick returns with a little capital that may not exceed SR300 through the use of your car in the sales,” explaining that a large number of Saudi youths go to the wholesale markets to buy attractive goods, and then choose a suitable site for selling them, without the need to hire shops with a large sum of money.”
Mohammed Al-Shanqeeti, another street vendor, said: “After my efforts to find a suitable job were to no avail, I thought of hawking as a way to earn my livelihood and earn some money to meet my family’s needs.” He said he faced fatigue and hardships in the streets, in addition to the burdens of fines and sanctions imposed by the suthorites.
Fadl Albuainain, an economist, called on the concerned authorities to support street vendors and provide them permanent sites instead of depriving them of their source of income.
Removal them without providing alternative space will badly affect their families, he said.
Albuainain observed that the mayoralties and municipalities are taking harsh measures on these street vendors by imposing restrictions on them under the pretext of health and environment violations.
The street vendors however say they make a living out of it, while officials believe that selling on roads causes congestion and traffic accidents, besides posing threats to vendors and consumers as well.
Riyadh Municipality has also embarked on providing adequate space for Saudi street vendors, who are unable to hire shops in the public markets.
This has resulted in ensuring fixed locations for them from where they can be easily monitored and followed up by the municipalities. This also enhanced the preservation of public and environmental health, as well as the cultural appearance of the capital.
Mohammad Al-Otaibi, a street vendor, said: “Hawking is very profitable, as you can achieve quick returns with a little capital that may not exceed SR300 through the use of your car in the sales,” explaining that a large number of Saudi youths go to the wholesale markets to buy attractive goods, and then choose a suitable site for selling them, without the need to hire shops with a large sum of money.”
Mohammed Al-Shanqeeti, another street vendor, said: “After my efforts to find a suitable job were to no avail, I thought of hawking as a way to earn my livelihood and earn some money to meet my family’s needs.” He said he faced fatigue and hardships in the streets, in addition to the burdens of fines and sanctions imposed by the suthorites.
Fadl Albuainain, an economist, called on the concerned authorities to support street vendors and provide them permanent sites instead of depriving them of their source of income.
Removal them without providing alternative space will badly affect their families, he said.
Albuainain observed that the mayoralties and municipalities are taking harsh measures on these street vendors by imposing restrictions on them under the pretext of health and environment violations.
