'City, businesses should give space for vendors'

'City, businesses should give space for vendors'

The Jakarta Administration has long blamed street vendors for
causing traffic jams and lending a shabby look to the city, and
has frequently evicted them. Just recently, however, the
officials admitted to their failure to accommodate the vendors
due to financial constraints. The Jakarta Post asked some
residents for their thoughts on the issue.

Dessy Mulasari, 27, is a runway model. She lives in a boarding
house in Menteng, Central Jakarta:

Personally, I don't mind the presence of street vendors. I
have nothing against them.

They are hard workers. They are struggling to earn an honest
living in this capital, the same as the rest of us. I used to buy
fruit, vegetables and knickknacks like hair accessories from
street vendors.

But, yes, I'm slightly annoyed about how they take up too much
public space for their business.

It is the city administration's responsibility to allocate a
proper space for them and not to sideline their interests.

Many of us, especially those who live in upmarket South
Jakarta where the social gap is glaringly wide, people see
sidewalk vendors as second-class citizens. But in northern
Jakarta, people respect street vendors whose business mentality
is on the same professional level with shop owners: they give us
the correct change and make sure we buy quality merchandise.

Herman, 30, is a researcher at a private university. He lives
with his parents in Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta:

The presence of street vendors in the capital should not be a
problem, but it would be much better if they didn't have to
occupy pedestrian walkways.

If people consider them as some kind of pest, then it is the
responsibility of city- and company building management to
provide space in their compound for vendors, especially those who
sell food. It would be a great help for both vendors and
occupants or employees of the buildings.

My father said people in Germany do this -- there are no
sidewalk vendors, and small traders open shop inside buildings.

If we want to adopt this solution, however, no fees should be
imposed on vendors. Otherwise, they will choose to remain on the
street and become a major problem in Jakarta.

--The Jakarta Post