Relocation of sidewalk vendors

Relocation of sidewalk vendors

From Suara Karya

There has been an ever-growing number of sidewalk vendors at
strategic places in Jakarta, which hampers traffic-flow, disturbs
pedestrians and creates an "unsightly" view.

The areas where such stalls are mushrooming cover the bus
terminals of Pulo Gadung and Blok M, the zones of Glodok, Pasar
Baru and Senen, the railway station of Jatinegara, the Tanah
Abang market, and the intersections of Cawang and Grogol.

However, we should not overlook the fact that these sellers
have to earn a living, owing to widespread unemployment following
the economic crisis, which has plagued the country since 1988.
Therefore, banning vendor's from conducting business means
depriving them of their livelihoods.

As a solution, the Jakarta administration should seek
alternative places to relocate the sidewalk traders so that they
will not operate on public roads and disturb the comfort of
citizens. Once they are relocated, strict control should be
exercised to prevent them from utilizing Jakarta's strategic
spaces.

SURYANTO ABIMANYU
Jakarta