President of the newly created Guyana Market Vendors Union (GMVU) Eon Andrews said the union is awaiting recognition by the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) before moving forward to have pressing issues affecting vendors addressed.
Andrews told Stabroek News in a brief interview that upon receiving recognition from the M&CC he would request a meeting with city officials to discuss matters affecting vendors.
He said the most pressing issue is the relocation of vendors from the ‘Parliament View Mall’. He said the GMVU would be seeking to have vendors relocated at the Stabroek Market square in an orderly manner. Andrews said vendors are finding it difficult to sales where they are since vending is an activity that is profitable when there is high traffic of passersby.
He said the union would also advocate that actions taken by the city administration be done in responsible manner with advance notice being served to vendors and is willing to work with the M&CC to ensure that future plans for the vendors are well thought out.
“They have to understand the culture of vending and plans must be well thought out,” he stressed.
He and members have been meeting vendors and urging them to register under the union, which costs $2,000 plus a monthly membership fee of $1,000.