Piles of fruit and vegetables, cooked snacks and electronics that were sold on the roadside were cleared by workers as part of an inspection campaign.
Officials released a video yesterday that showed workers removing different items left behind by street vendors sold on the road sides of blocks 302 to 307, as part of the campaign.
Workers were seen in the video gathering large quantities of used electronic items, shoes and school bags.
Street vendors target labour camps that house workers of different nationalities who need cheap clothes, vegetables, fish, fruit and the authorities have tried to crack down on the roadside markets in the past few months.
Capital Trustees Board chairman Saleh Tarradah said yesterday that it was high time street vendors were regulated to help ‘strike a balance’, as well as limit waste of consumables seized during the raids.
“Street vendors are not treating people who run a business or shop with a proper commercial licence fairly,” Mr Tarradah told the GDN yesterday.
“They cannot afford to sell their products at a price that street vendors do because they have several overheads to consider, such as rent, electricity, staff salaries.
“On the other hand, some people buy from street vendors because they cannot afford to buy from commercial stores, and they need only a small quantity.”
He added that these customers are unlikely to store the products, because they lack the necessary storage facilities, and they will consume what they purchase immediately – ignoring the quality of the item.
“So it’s about striking a balance to support both groups so that we can avoid financial and material loss – look at how many products are thrown away each time they clear a space.”
The campaign to remove street vendors is part of a larger effort to put the 1996 Occupancy of Public Roads Law into effect.
Last month, the GDN reported that more than 148 illegal roadside stalls selling a variety of products had been removed from Ras Zuwayed.
Mr Tarradah stated that the board discussed the issue several times and that recommendations were forwarded to the authorities for action.
He stated that the phenomenon of street vendors was not unique to Bahrain, and that the recommendations were based on his observations from global examples.
“We see street vendors all over the world; the solution is to regulate them.
“There should be an option to obtain a permit from the municipality, and there should be legalities that they must follow – there should be a time limit for these vendors, and strict laws ensuring cleanliness – they should not litter the place.”
Mr Tarradah stated that one of the board’s suggestions was for Tamkeen to design platforms in accordance with the characteristics and adopted criteria.
“Tamkeen can assist in the design of these platforms for street vendors based on location, need, and other criteria.
“The act of cleaning up is appreciated, but we must address the root cause in order to find a permanent solution.”
Meanwhile, area MP Dr Sawsan Kamal recognised the hygiene aspects of these prime locations in the heart of the Capital.
However, she stated that it was the municipalities’ responsibility to address the issue.
“I would thank the municipal officials for their efforts – it is a challenging issue and there should be a system to control the behaviour from different angles, not only removing the end result,” she added.
The GDN previously reported that only Bahrainis will be allowed to work as street vendors under new municipal rules.
raji@gdnmedia.bh
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