Traders selling outside Central Market picket City Hall

Several dozens of persons who sold products near the Central Market of Chisinau picketed the City Hall on January 23. The traders demand that the authorities allow them to work in the street, Info-Prim Neo reports. Seller Ludmila Capatina said they decided to protest after they were told that they must vacate the places where they sold. “They should give us jobs so that we earn our living. They earn thousands of lei, but we do not have money to feed our children,” said the woman. Olesea Lungu said she comes from the country to sell what she grew in her garden. “In the market, they give us the places where there are no buyers. We can stay there all day long and sell nothing. The good places have been already bought,” she stated. Irina Turcan said the authorities should bring things in order at the upper level first. “There is tax evasion everywhere, not only at the Central Market. Every company launders money,” she said, adding they are ready to pay a daily tax so that they are allowed to sell. The problem was discussed in Monday’s meeting of City Hall officials. Mayor Dorin Chirtoaca reiterated that trading outside the market should be banned as he possesses information that persons re-lease the selling places near the market. “This shows that there is not only unauthorized trade, but also traffic of influence,” he stated. A commission was set up in December to carry out daily raids at the unauthorized selling places. Recently, the commission informed the traders that they are banned from selling outside the market since January 20.