The market vendors have formalized themselves into a union and President Eon Andrews said the body is seeking to restore respect to the vendors.
Speaking to the media yesterday, Andrews explained that the union was named the Guyana Market Vendors Union and was formally established on July 28. He pointed out that vendors are very important members of the private sector and the union will be aiming at bringing a level of understanding between the vendors and authorities.
Andrews said the establishment of a union comprising market/itinerant vendors would assist in providing efficient countrywide service for the benefit and welfare of the public. Its objectives are: to educate its members in the rules of good hospitality and service; to act as the official representative of its members in respect of all matters concerning their operation in Guyana; to provide medical, insurance, hospitalization and other benefits for its members; to act as an agent for its members in the importation of goods; to provide assistance and legal representation to its members appearing before the courts or in relation to matters where such competence is deemed necessary; to assist the relevant authorities in fixing fees for vendors; to assist in and act for members in registration, payment of contributions, applications for benefits, hearing of appeals and acting in all matters relating to National Insurance and to cooperate with and assist any organization which shares a mutual interest.
“We have formed a union that has its genesis in Georgetown, but has the capacity and is prepared to extend in all areas of the country,” Andrews said.
Andrews, who is a former member of the city council, emphasized that they were motivated to form the union because of how the vendors have been treated in the past months. He said vendors should not be “summoned willy nilly by anybody as though they are staff. They are not council staff that you summon.”
The union intends to engage the city council in writing about its concerns and is expecting a response.
He explained that while the union will be on the front lines in addressing vendors’ issues, its image should not be obscured. “We are not in competition. It is not formed so we could have a little war.
We are peaceful people,” he said, while pointing out that as a unified body, interactions will not just be with the city council. “If we feel something that has to be settled is outside the power of the city council, then we will go beyond that,” he added. “I don’t want anyone that we have to engage try to throw some strength to see how strong we are. This is not about strength. We are capable of taking care of our business whenever that arises.”
Andrews emphasized that since he was once a councillor, he is well aware of how that system operates, which puts him in the best position to represent the vendors.
“You have to know the culture of the vendors and I feel their pain. I think I am in the best position to represent them,” he said.
While there are no immediate issues that the union will be addressing, Andrews explained that it is not pleased with how the city has handled some of the issues such as the relocation of the Stabroek Market vendors and labelled the council’s actions as “draconian” and “hasty.”
“It is not too late and that is why we have formed a union before things get out of hand,” he said.
He said the union does not want “under the table discussions” and will be aiming towards having legal and transparent negotiations.
Andrews pointed out that the union wants the city council to desist from “shepherding” its members and to be involved in democratic discussions in the future.
He said he is optimistic that by next week Monday, almost 90% of vendors around the city will be sensitized and aware of the union. He also pointed out that the union is not only for vendors or stallholders but anyone with a vested interest is allowed to join and rally with them for the betterment of the vendors.
He said he accepts that the city council is trying to change things and that change is constant and must be implemented, but disagrees with the way it has been going about this and will address it in the coming months.
The city council has faced immensed criticism for its treatment of vendors during its efforts to ensure compliance with city laws.
