Africa-Press – Namibia. Local vendors from the Omuthiya open market on Tuesday conducted a peaceful march towards the governor’s office to hand over a petition against the growing number of illegal vendors.
Representative of the informal traders in Omuthiya, Hilaria Shikongo, said the petition expresses their frustration but also asks for support, recognition, and regulation of small and medium enterprises and street vendors in the town.
“We are here to express our deep concern over the growing number of vendors from neighbouring Angola who are conducting business in Namibia without any documentation or trading licences,” Shikongo said to Oshikoto governor, Sacky Kathindi.
She further noted that, over the past few years, following the Covid-19 pandemic, foreign traders have increased dramatically, causing a decline in their income and putting their livelihoods at risk.
“Small vendors are now unable to pay municipality bills, unable to send our children to school due to loss of income. Customers now prefer to buy from foreign vendors because they sell goods at a much lower price, causing many Namibians to close their businesses,” Shikongo said.
The local vendors demanded an answer within 14 working days. They are also requesting that foreign vendors be stopped from selling house-to-house and should instead operate from a local spot allocated to them. They, in addition, want all foreign vendors to register their businesses, pay taxes, and have work permits to prevent illegal trading.
“We want to be protected from unfair competition and make sure our right to earn a living is respected,” said the Namibian traders.
Kathindi welcomed the vendors and assured them that their concerns would be carefully considered through the appropriate consultations and policy processes.
“I have received the petition and will sit down with the relevant authorities and make sure the local vendors get a response,” he said.
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