Vendor Wants Better Facilities
“It affects me a little bit, but as the price of goods and services rise, we just have to work a little harder to make ends meet,” he said.
Tuesday 01 August 2023 | 18:41
The plus and minus effect of the 15 per cent value added tax (VAT) increase effective from today is expected to impact the livelihood of ordinary Fijians.
For Ranjit, a Suva Market vendor for the past 20 years, the new stall fee they must now pay adds to his financial woe.
“It affects me a little bit, but as the price of goods and services rise, we just have to work a little harder to make ends meet,” he said.
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At 62, it is a labour of love to earn a living through the sale of sweet corn, peanuts, tomatoes, and lemons.
“I do this for my family,” Mr Ranjit said
But like most challenges, many vendors are prepared to bite the bullet.
“What will we run on, and what benefits us ordinary vendors?” he said.
“For the past 10 years, there was barely any parking space around the Suva Market.
“In other municipal markets, there is ample space to park. In the Capital City, there is very limited parking.”
If municipal councils increase stall fees, entrepreneurs and shoppers should be given better parking allocation around the market.
Mr Ranjit also called on the authorities to address street dwellers who slept under market tables.
“They pickpockets and usually attack Indo- Fijian vendors who arrive early in the morning,” he said.
Vendors have called time and again for improved security measures and more police visible around the market, Mr Ranjit said.
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