Lautoka market vendor asks AG if market stall fees can continue to be waived after July

A woman who has been a market vendor for 26 years has asked Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum if the market stall fees could continue to be waived after July.

She raised the issue at the budget consultation at Sugar City Mall in Lautoka.

$2.6 million was allocated in the 2021-2022 National Budget to pay the full market stall fees for one year from 1st August 2021 to 31st July 2022 for the benefit of around 8,000 vendors.

She told Sayed-Khaiyum the waiving of the market stall fees has helped her and other vendors but when that ends in July, they will all struggle.

She also said that they need fans in the new Lautoka market as it is too hot inside and someone may have a heart attack.

The woman also asked why there was a difference between the market stall fees for the old and new market.

She stated that the old market stall fee was $1.10 while vendors in the new market were paying $2.20.

A representative from the Lautoka City Council then clarified that the difference in stall fees paid by vendors was based on the type of produce they sold.

Sayed-Khaiyum went on to ask the woman if she was selling her produce in the old or new market.

Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum will deliver the revised National Budget on the 24th of this month.