Abu Khaled is a dear avid reader and a strong critic who never misses any of my articles. He also sees himself as a staunch defender of the poor. With some pain, I must strongly object to what I have written several times, and which my colleague Iqbal Al-Ahmad has also addressed, regarding the growing number of sidewalk vendors, particularly fruit vendors, in residential areas.
Over the course of almost twenty successive governments, this phenomenon has persisted, resisting any attempts to end it. Abu Khaled reproachfully says: “... I swear, the street snacks/food have not caused traffic jams. They should be allowed to make a living. They are part of a marginalized and poor class, with children and families to support. How can you call for their impoverishment?” Abu Khaled is a highly qualified and experienced oil expert, yet he was unable to see the other side of the issue. He focused solely on one aspect, that these people should be left alone while overlooking the fact that allowing this practice could lead to health, social, and financial problems.
This is especially concerning as the vendors continue to add new food items to their displays. I explained to Abu Khaled that the phenomenon of selling goods, particularly food, on the streets is not only unhealthy but also harmful to legitimate shop owners and grocery stores. These business owners pay high rents for their shops, and in some cases, high down payments. They are also required to pay fees for various licenses and health certificates for their workers, as well as fulfill other financial obligations. In contrast, those who display their goods on the streets, regardless of their social status, do so without any approvals or adherence to health or legal standards.
Despite all this, we tend to view these violators as helping to support their livelihoods, overlooking the fact that this behavior disregards the laws governing commercial activities in any society. Describing someone who violates the practice of selling goods on the sidewalks as a “vampire” is both an exaggeration and an injustice to them. I have previously stated that I willingly abandoned any commercial and trading activities. Therefore, both Abu Khaled and I belong to the same category - retirees. However, this does not mean I agree with his characterization of traders as “vampires.”
The issue is far more complicated than that. Purchasing food from an unlicensed vendor, which may lead to consumer harm, such as food poisoning due to exposure to germs, dust, and vehicle emissions, is a responsibility that cannot solely be placed on the poor vendor. What if one or more cars stop to buy from these vendors, and their sudden stop causes a traffic accident or obstructs traffic? We need to issue laws that prohibit such unsanitary and uncivilized practices. The inspectors of the Kuwait Municipality, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and the Ministry of Interior should take action to stop this, so that Abu Khaled no longer feels the need to describe a “retired trader” as a “vampire”.
By Ahmad alsarraf
e-mail: [email protected]
