Street vendors will be banned from selling on streets in the 33 townships under the control of Yangon City Development Committee from October 2014, a spokesperson from the YCDC Department of Markets told Mizzima on July 30.
Nomadic sellers will only be able to open their stalls in vacant spots at currently existing township markets, said the spokesperson, adding that the move was intended to curb traffic jams and the blockage of drainage.
During August and September, the department willbe working with traffic police and township administratorsto educate vendors of the new rules and convince them to gradually reduce the number of hours they are currently operational, he said.
Although at the moment vendors are allowed to open stores from 3pm, in the run up to October, vendors will beencouraged to open only between 5pm and 8pm but once October arrives and street vendors have been educated of the new rules, those continuing to operate in non-designated areas could face a fine that ranges from K10, 000 to K50,000(US$ 10 to $50) and up to five years imprisonment, said the spokesperson.
Since late June, street vendors pitching in front of San Pya Market, Thingangkuun township and in front of Yuzana Plaza, Mingalartaungnyunt township have already had to adapt to the new 5pm start time.
The measure was supported by Dr NyoNyo Thin (Yangon Regional Hluttaw, Independent, Bahan (2) constituency).
"Yangon’s traffic jams are mainly caused by the street vendors; they block the pavements and cause traffic issues. They need a place where they can do their business in an organised fashion. People need to go to the markets instead of shopping on the streets,” said Dr NyoNyo Thin.
But the news of this measure has led to uncertainty over the future for many of the city’s street vendors.
“We came here to work because it is difficult to find work in our village. If they say our street shops should not be there on the streets then how will we make a living?” said a street vendor working on Yangon’s busy Sule road.
