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STREET VENDORS VIE FOR CUSTOMERS AMIDST CATS AND DOGS IN SEVAN
Grisha Balasanyan
http://hetq.am/en/society/sevan-14/
20 09/10/06 | 15:47
Society Marzes
Walk down the two main streets in the town of Sevan and you'll see
fruits and vegetables being sold on the sidewalks alongside wandering
cats and dogs. It would appear that no one from the mayor's office,
located close by, is either aware of this evident violation of the
health codes or either they know but don't care.
Robert Rafaelyan, an advisor to the Sevan Municipality, took issue
with our observation of official neglect.
He stated that the town was doing all it could to stop sidewalk vendors
from selling their goods on the streets but that no one was listening.
"We have proposed that they relocate to the market and sell their
goods there but they won't go. True, the market is small but all the
necessary facilities are in place. This issue is at the top of our
list to solve," said Mr. Rafaelyan.
We tried to get some of the street vendors to talk to us but they
refused. They told us that if they gave us an interview they'd be in
trouble with the municipality.
Anahit was one of the brave ones who talked to us. When we asked why
she was selling her goods on the roadside she angrily answered, "Do
you think I like sitting in this dust and dirt all day long? Let the
mayor find me decent work to do and I'll dump all this stuff in the
garbage and leave here. It's easy for them to sit in their offices
and tell us what to do. There's no work, what else can I do to make
a living. I raise a family on the few pennies I make here."
We checked out the market and saw that most of the stalls were
empty. We found out that another reason why those selling on the
street are reluctant to relocate to the market is that they'd have
to pay a fee of 300-500 AMD, whereas selling out in the open is free.
Grisha Balasanyan
http://hetq.am/en/society/sevan-14/
20 09/10/06 | 15:47
Society Marzes
Walk down the two main streets in the town of Sevan and you'll see
fruits and vegetables being sold on the sidewalks alongside wandering
cats and dogs. It would appear that no one from the mayor's office,
located close by, is either aware of this evident violation of the
health codes or either they know but don't care.
Robert Rafaelyan, an advisor to the Sevan Municipality, took issue
with our observation of official neglect.
He stated that the town was doing all it could to stop sidewalk vendors
from selling their goods on the streets but that no one was listening.
"We have proposed that they relocate to the market and sell their
goods there but they won't go. True, the market is small but all the
necessary facilities are in place. This issue is at the top of our
list to solve," said Mr. Rafaelyan.
We tried to get some of the street vendors to talk to us but they
refused. They told us that if they gave us an interview they'd be in
trouble with the municipality.
Anahit was one of the brave ones who talked to us. When we asked why
she was selling her goods on the roadside she angrily answered, "Do
you think I like sitting in this dust and dirt all day long? Let the
mayor find me decent work to do and I'll dump all this stuff in the
garbage and leave here. It's easy for them to sit in their offices
and tell us what to do. There's no work, what else can I do to make
a living. I raise a family on the few pennies I make here."
We checked out the market and saw that most of the stalls were
empty. We found out that another reason why those selling on the
street are reluctant to relocate to the market is that they'd have
to pay a fee of 300-500 AMD, whereas selling out in the open is free.