Street vendors protest raids

Street vendors protest raids

TANGERANG (JP): About 200 street vendors who usually operate along Jl. Daan Mogot visited the Tangerang Mayoralty office on Tuesday to protest recent raids against them.

"We pay levies to the officials. Why are we called illegal traders?" said Sapar, 35.

Officials banned the vendors because they said they were causing traffic problems and told them to move to nearby Anyar Market.

"They do not have licenses to operate businesses let alone display the merchandise on the street. Their activities also caused heavy traffic congestion in the area," chief of the city's security and order office Prana Sigit said on Tuesday after meeting with the vendors.

The street vendors also met with councilors to air their grievance before dispersing later in the day. (41/edt)