Epress.am News from Armenia
“They’re not human… what can you do? Go away, leave? There’s no work and no… I’ve always bought potatoes outside and will continue to do so,” said two apparently inebriated middle-aged men, interrupting each other and identifying themselves as Mr. Abo and Artur, speaking to an Epress.am correspondent on the streets of Yerevan today.
As previously reported, Yerevan street vendors have been protesting for about a month against the mayor’s ban on street trade. During numerous protests and demonstrations, they’ve said adequate conditions haven’t been offered to them and, in their opinion, the reason for the ban is to provide Yerevan’ large chain supermarkets with additional customers.
A few residents shared with Epress.am their opinions on the ban and where they prefer to do their shopping.
The majority of respondents were 50 to 65 year-olds, who said they purchase fruit, vegetables and greens nearly everyday from the city’s many outdoor vendors. They also stated that they were concerned about the fact that the vendors have now been left out of work.
For Mrs. Arusyak, “nothing has changed” following the ban as she does her shopping in stores. “Well, that people have been left out of a job, that’s bad. But probably, that was needed.” Asked for who it was needed, she found it difficult to respond. She smiled, shrugged her shoulders and left.
Shushan also preferred the shops, feeling, however, the difference in prices. Confessing that she often purchases fruit or greens from the street, Shushan, nevertheless, said that “the leaders, the government should decide.”
“Of course, there’s a difference in price. If, let’s say, they find a place for them [i.e. the street vendors] for a reasonable price, of course I’m in favor, because the streets are clean.” Though Shushan said she understands people’s anger and why numerous people are protesting, she accepts the ban on street trade.
Thirty-year-old Armen said buying fruits and vegetables on the street is convenient no matter how you look at it, while the sanitary conditions of some supermarkets are even worse than in the case of outdoor markets.
“If they’re not ensuring conditions for purchasing certain types of foodstuffs, then street trade shouldn’t be banned and that many people shouldn’t be left out of work. It’s impossible to buy fruit from the supermarkets because it’s expensive and not fresh,” he said.
Fifty-two-year-old Marine doesn’t really see the difference. She confessed that she sometimes purchases goods on the street, mainly vegetables; however, she’ll continue to do her shopping at indoor markets and supermarkets.
“Of course, I feel sorry for people, but they’ll find a place, though I know they continue to protest,” she said.