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Government Planning to Increase Penalty Fee for Vendors

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One of the things we have to respect is that vending has been a way of life from slavery days, whereby people would have plied their trade whether selling fruits, whether selling whatever to feed their families and indeed vending has taken people in this country out of poverty. It send [sic] many children to school including myself. I am testimony of a grandfather who was  vendor in Ellerton, St. George… so indeed I am supportive of vendors …We just need to give them the respect that is due to them and also give them the space that they require to be part of the landscape of this country.

Last weekend the Prime Minister Mia Mottley at the Barbados Labour Party’s annual conference made passing reference to itinerant vending in Barbados and the need for some order to be brought to bear. The matter of vending along the streets of Barbados has been given lip service by successive BLP and DLP administrations. All will agree that citizens of Barbados from the lowest social class are members of the vendor class.

– Dwight Sutherland, Minister of Small Business (2018)

A scan of parliament’s website shows the Markets and Slaughter-Houses (Amendment) Bill, 2019 on the Order Paper. One of the reasons for the amendment to quote the Bill – “… is to amend the Markets and Slaughter-Houses Act, Cap. 265 to make provision for the imposition of pecuniary penalties and other matters related thereto…The pecuniary penalty in respect of an order made pursuant to subsection (3) is $300″. The current fine is $50.00.

Given the class of person who will be affected by the increase in penalty begs the question – is the proposed increase in the fine and other amendments to the Act fair?

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85 responses to “Government Planning to Increase Penalty Fee for Vendors”

  1. robert lucas Avatar
    robert lucas

    If it means clearing the “Duncan-O’Neal” bridge, so that pedestrians can have free passage, I have no problem with it. Try using the bridge’s walk-way and you will see what I mean.. This post may result in some saying that I am insensitive to the needs of others. The converse point surely can be made that the vendors are inconsiderate to the pedestrians.

  2. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    Penalising the very poorest in society, while giving wealthy owners of zombie hotels tax breaks.

  3. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    So what is knew
    Govt penalising vendors.if u asked govt neeeds to be penalised for letting piles of garbage lined the streets for more than a year
    It is down right inhumane and unconscionable that after a year of a promise by govt for barbados society to be clean and healthy that govt has not found the means necessary to pick up garbage off the streets in timely fashion
    However can open mouth about penalising the poor in society
    The mere talk of govt making statements in such an insenstive manner makes one want to puke
    This is the same govt who refuses to pay Sanitation workers overtime to keep barbados clean
    Well i be dam

  4. TLSN Avatar
    TLSN

    @ Robert Lucas,
    Take a look at the increasing number of businesses that are erecting structures on our beaches. Speightstown and the boatyard being a good example. What of the number of beach recliners that are restricting the free movement of locals on public beaches. I am totally against this.

    We should never try to curtail Barbadians from trading local produce on our streets. It is entrepreneurial and should be encouraged.

  5. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    With all the travelling to international countries govt has done
    Mia could take a page out of the way other countries handled these problems instead (of )at every move she rides the tax payers backs and now vendors for more fiscal support
    From what i have observed during my travels i take note that there are large dumpster placed in certain areas for the vendors to dump their garbage or residue
    Govt now boast about the savings they have
    Now govt can take that savings and used them in a useful manner for barbados society and remove this dictatorial way of governing off the peoples back
    What a dam shame and a 30-0 waste
    For where there is no vision the people perish

  6. David Avatar
    David

    What is a damn shame is if a general election were held tomorrow it would probably yield the same result. Every issue you must distil to Mia this or Mia that. Do we need to bring structure to itinerant vending. If yes what are the measures to introduce, do we model St. Lucia, Jamaica or go with a nuanced approach.

  7. robert lucas Avatar
    robert lucas

    @TLSN October 30, 2019 5:26 AM

    I see the connection you are trying to make . It is invalid for the following reason: on the beach there is room to manouver. quite easily around the tourists, who in any event cannot be sited below the low-tide level. Do Barbadians go to the beach to tan? As far as I am aware, they go to swim and some do build sand castles. The beach area in comparison to the bridge is vast. There is very little room available for transit by the pedestrian on the bridge. I am not an aficionado of tourism, but at present if this country wants foreign exchange, it has to bite the bullet. The vendors do not provide a great deal of foreign exchange. Let me very frank, there should be no vending on the bridge, period. You can holler as much as you want about the small black man being disadvantaged. I am discriminated against by the vendors blocking the bridge, when I seek passage across it, which is pure bs.

  8. SirFuzzy (Former Sheep) Avatar
    SirFuzzy (Former Sheep)

    All I would say is that Barbados is a land of much law and legislation. Also a land of the lawless and lawbreakers. Certainly not a land od serious and unbiased enforcement.

    Amend the act as they have done on so many previous occasions. I am just wondering if any of it will have real-world consequences or any realtime enforcement.

    Just asking

  9. David Avatar
    David

    For the vast majority of ordinary Barbadians walking the bridge it is seen as a necessary inconvenience as they make their way to the bus minibus stand.

  10. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    So yuh” fine” the vendors.isnt the idea to stop littering from accumulating
    Govt does not provide larger enough containers to place the residue made from customers and vendors and garbage is not collected by sanitation dept
    Then what
    For argument sake vendors decide to bag all their garbage and take it home and placed it on the side walk or even left the garbage where they ply their business. No collection occurs for weeks
    Then what
    can you not see that the problem goes beyond fines but govt implementing formulas that would work long term as added incentives

    Govt needs to have effective planned measures which can prevent this nagging issue along with the large collection of garbage left behind by the vendor instead of hot and sweaty ideas to penalized every Tom and mary
    In other words pro active measures are necessary
    Obviuosly fines passed previuisly as law has not worked

  11. Artaxerxes Avatar
    Artaxerxes

    “For where there is no vision the people perish….”

    Spot on!!

    And this was verified when Froon’s lack of vision resulted in 24 consecutive credit rating downgrades, junk bond status and an almost devaluation of the Barbados dollar.

    This BLP administration seems to be continuing along a similar path.

    According to Mr. Skinner…….. “the duopoly rules.”

  12. David Avatar
    David

    Governor of Central Bank says the central bank has no say in the fees being set by banks. He said he will have a conversation with bankers.

  13. Piece the Legend Avatar
    Piece the Legend

    Bajans are a lazy people.

    In other climes there are Food Markets and Bazaars and all the above MILES AWAY and people will, bus, take trains and drive there for products.

    So this issue of brekking we backs to accommodate these itinerants is rendered moot regarding how we have turned this into a “proximity issue” for people who blocking sidewalks AND BREKKING THE LAW!

    Conversely, the fact is that few spaces exist for these persons to ply their trade lawfully.

    De ole man feels that WHEN DE PDP COMES TO POWER, they should invest in a major Bridgetown Waterway development project that will

    a.Change the full length of the constitution river

    b. Place vendor huts all the way from Tweedside Road to Bridgetown ON EITHER SIDE OF A REPURPOSED CONSTITUTION RIVER WATERWAY

    Wunna is invited to discuss these points made by PIECE THE LEGEND, NOW EXPERT, cause walter Blackman, the admirer of the jiggling botsies of 12 year old Parkinson girl students, recognizes me to be such.

    Heheheheh

  14. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    There’s a post the algorithmic Dustbin

  15. GP Avatar
    GP

    PIECE
    RE De ole man feels that WHEN DE PDP COMES TO POWER, they should invest in a major Bridgetown Waterway development project that will

    a.Change the full length of the constitution river

    b. Place vendor huts all the way from Tweedside Road to Bridgetown ON EITHER SIDE OF A REPURPOSED CONSTITUTION RIVER WATERWAY

    KEEP YOUR IDEAS TO YOUR SELF TIL ELECTION TIME
    MIA AND GRANVILLE WILL TIEF THEM AND PRESENT THEM AS THEIR ORIGINAL IDEAS

  16. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

  17. David Avatar
    David

    Does it matter whose idea it is? Who benefits if the system can be improved? Why do we educate citizens? Should citizens cede governance to the political class? We need to see the big picture.

  18. Artaxerxes Avatar
    Artaxerxes

    @ David BU

    It seems as though these fines are confined to markets only and do not have anything to do with garbage as one political yard-fowl is suggesting.

    However, I agree with you 100% that measures need to be implemented to regulate vending. Successive BLP and DLP administrations built markets with toilet facilities so vendors could ply their trade. Instead, they opt to sell on the streets blocking alleys and sidewalks, as well as erecting shanties in various places of the city……. all of which is against the law.

    As I constantly remind this forum, there are vendors around the environs of the old Fairchild Street market, many of whom are non-nationals, such that some sections are called “Vincy Town” and “Georgetown,” …….selling food and beverages without the required health certificates, liquor licenses and toilet facilities.

    Vendors, many of whom are non-nationals, are allowed to ply their trade in front of the Cheapside market, while Barbadians are forced to rent market space within.

    Are they any concerns about health, when vendors handle food, fruits and vegetables where they aren’t any toilet facilities for them to wash their hands after urinating or defecating?

    We cannot continue in a society where people use the mantra “a poor black man trying to mek a dollar” as an excuse to break the law.

  19. David Avatar
    David

    @Artax

    We need to stop making this a political football. Have you tried to negotiate Ricketts Street leading to Roebuck Street recently?

    It is getting worse.

  20. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    Governor of Central Bank says the central bank has no say in the fees being set by banks. He said he will have a conversation with bankers.(Quote)

    What a thing for a regulator to admit. Can someone tell the governor that he should have a say in the recruitment of senior executives, in the design and marketing of products, fees and other charges and customer service. If he does not, then we need new legislation.

  21. Artaxerxes Avatar
    Artaxerxes

    David BU

    Of course “it’s getting worse.”

    We also have vendors endangering their lives by “setting up shop” at the junctions of round-a-bouts and on the highway.

  22. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    It is high time that there are progressive laws in relation to vending. I have long maintained that allowing poor black people to build or put up pieces of boxes old wood and galvanize was not helping them in any form or fashion. It cultivated a hole in the wall mentality that bred other negative influences.
    I remember well trying to stop the hoteliers from discriminating against beach vendors and trying to brand all of them as petty criminals.
    Successive regimes refused to give the beach vendors any real assistance to graduate to successful business persons. Eventually the authorities came up with stalls at some beaches that ruined the whole atmosphere .
    We need to streamline the vending industry by investing in it as a real economic entity rather than an “ Ah getting by” escape from poverty.
    I am no prophet but if the powers that be intend to build a hotel corridor and if the investors have told them they want all vendors out of the way, it is obvious that they have to make a move.
    One suspects that there is more to come. However if it is a genuine move to make it an attractive and sustainable profession, well regulated vending can create hundreds of jobs; businesses for future generations and be used as a launching pad for even greater business enterprise.
    I recall suggesting that several acres of land strategically throughout the island should have been earmarked for mechanic and body work shops thereby removing road side mechanics and getting them into regulated business enterprise zones. Of course I was told that will affect the poor black man.

  23. Piece the Legend Avatar
    Piece the Legend

    @ Dr. GP my myopic friend.

    I recently imposed a self ban on my Stoopid Cartoons

    Not because of the threat of the Honourable Blogmaster as he was instructed by The Rented Jackass Hee Hee who was instructed by Mugabe

    But because de ole man gine show dem THE POWER OF THE PEN!

    The Honourable Blogmaster going end up banning me purely based on what I am writing AND THE EFFECT THAT IT WILL HAVE!

    I will explain meself more here.

    I call the Honourable Blogmaster the minister of Disinformation and further claim that he is the Official Portal for the Collection of Ideas for Barbados

    Additionally, if there is an issue to be tested, Mugabe sends down the issue, he launches it and they get feedback.

    Ergo the idea about vendor fees increasing.

    So, IF I HAVE STOPPED THE MEMES that they proposed to debar, how do I continue to fight this Mugabe regime?

    We fight them by strategy Dr. GP.

    As Caswell Franklyn said earlier, WE DO NOT HAVE THE CONSOLIDATED FUND TO BRIBE FOLLOWERS, as Mugabe is doing now with 26 ministers, but what we do have is a commodity that they dont have.

    Ideas.

    De ole man has floated 5 ideas which are PDP projects over the last 2 weeks.

    1.the Intellectual Property Escrow Facility and

    2.The Constitution River Causeway Repurposing Project of which part benefits the indigent Vendors.

    3….
    4…. and
    5….

    I choose not to repeat

    All are “Suggestions for the incoming PDP” government right?

    Can any one of these concepts be stolen AS IS MUGABE’S PRACTICE Dr GP?

    No.

    And CAN MUGABE PERMIT THE INCOMING PDP TO PLACE SAID AS YET, UNREALISED, BUT GAMECHANGING, PROPOSALS in their manifesto in 2021?

    No!

    Are you understanding what de ole man is doing now Dr. GP, my fellow myope?

    Who benefits SHOULD EITHER THE TEIFING MUGABE REGIME or the incoming PDP, with its men of integrity and competence, implement de ole man’s ideas?

    BARBADOS!

  24. David Avatar
    David

    Had the opportunity to visit Cheapside Market recently. It takes tremendous intestinal fortitude to enter that market. Long before one is even persuaded to enter the marker there is a wide vendor offering lining the entrance of the market.

  25. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    David BU

    The link you provided re the Markets and Slaughter Houses Bill is actually information about Parliament (Administration) and the amendments to the Management Commission of Parliament……..

    ……… unless the Bill is included therein and I overlooked it.

  26. David Avatar
    David

    Thanks Artax, corrected. Shows you are reading with comprehension.

  27. Dullard Avatar
    Dullard

    Does it matter whose idea it is? Who benefits if the system can be improved?

    Of course it does. Especially where there are benefits – not only financial– that can accrue to the author of said ideas. But in a culture where stealing of IP is commonplace no surprise at comments like these. I have struggled to find as much stealing of work and ideas as I’ve seen in Bdos.

  28. TLSN Avatar
    TLSN

    @ William Skinner, excellent points. I believe that the government should make it compulsory for anyone wanting to set up a business selling fruit and veg. They should undergo a diploma for one year – free of charge – in order to become a certified street vendor. This should elevate the status of the profession. And would alter the mindset of these industrious individuals.

  29. David Avatar
    David

    @Dullard

    Stop spouting nonsense. We are taking about enforcing fees, improving management, building stalls, educating people etc. We like to make every thing a big deal, is it any wonder the other islands passing us by?

    What IP what!

  30. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    @TLSN

    A diploma like in the UK?

  31. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Sweet!!!!!!!

  32. Dullard Avatar
    Dullard

    @Dullard

    Stop spouting nonsense. We are taking about enforcing fees, improving management, building stalls, educating people etc. We like to make every thing a big deal, is it any wonder the other islands passing us by?

    Blogman you should be the last to make an accusation of ” spouting nonsense”.

    Since, according to you, “enforcing fees, improving management, building stalls, educating people etc” is not a ‘a big deal’ then why can we get these basics right after decades of trying.

    It not that ” We like to make every thing a big” it is that we are too blase and not treat issues with sufficient seriousness.

    Doubt the Dullard? Ask the IMF.

    Its because of laziness in thinking and behavior but people like you that “the other islands passing us by” not because of being too serious. If anything we are not serious enough in our affairs.

  33. David Avatar
    David

    How can any government in a democracy effectively function without greasing the feedback loop with the citizenry? Have the last word.

  34. robert lucas Avatar
    robert lucas

    @ David October 30, 2019 6:20 AM

    “For the vast majority of ordinary Barbadians walking the bridge it is seen as a necessary inconvenience as they make their way to the bus minibus stand.”

    What do you mean by ordinary Barbadians ? I would like to think of myself as an ordinary Barbadian, as I walk where ever I am going and some days cross the bridge between two to four times(sometimes I use the swing bridge).. Your use of English is to be admired in this instance for its ambiguity.

  35. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    @ TLSN

    Thanks.

  36. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    William Skinner,

    I agree with you wholeheartedly. These vendors and others you mentioned should be assisted in stepping it up. Anything else would lead to just getting by rather than thriving.

    Lawlessness, dilapidated stalls and unhygienic practices are not the way to go. Short-term convenience often becomes long-term inconvenience.

    I hope this government looks at the problem in a wholistic way.

  37. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    All yuh really understand the Bill though?🤔

  38. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    @ Donna
    Thanks.I have been reliably informed that with a good business plan an average coconut vendor, can easily earn in excess of $40,000 per year after expenses.
    I was also informed that anybody who invests in dedicating several acres to coconut trees is guaranteed a tremendous source of income in about eight or so years. I was also told that on a huge scale a coconut tree estate can earn millions in foreign exchange because of world wide demand.
    We can easily create about three thousand jobs in vending over the next decade. I mean sustainable well paying jobs

  39. SirSimpleSimonPresidentForLife Avatar
    SirSimpleSimonPresidentForLife

    @”One of the things we have to respect is that vending has been a way of life from slavery days.”

    Mostly true. Except. Human beings have been trading, buying and selling for thousands of years. So our people were trading long, long before slavery, since human societies started in Africa, is is more than likely that trading started there first, and then spread to the rest of the world as humans migrated to the rest of the world.

    Sometimes the “boys of BU” try to farm-shame me because I work the soil. But I am not at all ashamed, inf act i cannot be shamed, because I know that our people, in fact all people have been farmers, and before that gatherers who lived off the land from the beginning of our common humanity.

    I don’t think that I have the right to expect someone in China, or Europe or the great white north to grow my food for me, and put it in a microwave-ready container for me.

    Lolll!!!

  40. SirSimpleSimonPresidentForLife Avatar
    SirSimpleSimonPresidentForLife

    @Dwight Sutherland “lowest social class.”

    Can someone explain “lowest social class” to me?

    Am I “lowest social class?”

    I grow produce. I eat some, give away some, but also sell any surplus. Does that make me “lowest social class?”

    I have enjoyed a tertiary education.

    How does one determine “lowest social class?”

  41. David Avatar
    David

    @enuff

    What is there not to understand about the proposed amendments to the Bill? It does not mean we cannot have a wider discussion.

  42. David Avatar
    David

    @Dr. Lucas

    Ordinary reference is to the vast transient traffic flow catching the bus, moving to and fro to the Nelson Street, Martindales area etc.

  43. charles skeete Avatar
    charles skeete

    October 30, 2019 4:04 AM

    “Penalising the very poorest in society, while giving wealthy owners of zombie hotels tax breaks.”

    these people seem to misrepresent Jesus’s pronouncement ” the poor will always be with us” and take it to the lowest level.

  44. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    these people seem to misrepresent Jesus’s pronouncement ” the poor will always be with us” and take it to the lowest level.(Quote)

    What does this mean in simple, comprehensible English?

  45. charles skeete Avatar
    charles skeete

    “We should never try to curtail Barbadians from trading local produce on our streets. It is entrepreneurial and should be encouraged.”
    and not only that; vending is part of our heritage and with regulation could be a useful part of our business landscape for those at the bottom end of the ladder. Why not bring them into the tax by registration and licensing and monitoring their activities

  46. charles skeete Avatar
    charles skeete

    “What does this mean in simple, comprehensible English?”
    Mr Bright Boy
    it means what you was trying to say in highfalutin hyperbole
    ” that the the rich would be richer and the poor poorer

  47. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    Gothcha. I thought that was what it meant, but could not believe anyone in this day and age could be so crass about social justice. But what do I know?

  48. charles skeete Avatar
    charles skeete

    DavidOctober 30, 2019 7:33 AM

    “Governor of Central Bank says the central bank has no say in the fees being set by banks. He said he will have a conversation with bankers”
    in my ignorance always thought that one of the principal mandates of the Central Bank was regulatory control of banks. i always had a difficulty with the mission of the Central and given its budget if it was operating to the benefit of the country. I felt that the issuing of quarterly reports was insufficient to justify its existence. Regulation of exchange control in my view to the disadvantage of the ordinary citizen is not enough. Even Vincentians can access foreign exchange without government interference. .

  49. charles Skeete Avatar
    charles Skeete

    “We cannot continue in a society where people use the mantra “a poor black man trying to mek a dollar” as an excuse to break the law.”

    That is quite true but my difficulty is with the double standards. When the rich white or indian man break the law incoherent noises bay for a while and then the situation remains the same.
    Maloney hard rock cement et al. It has been alleged the boat yard is in breach of Town and Country permission

  50. charles skeete Avatar
    charles skeete

    i”dOctober 30, 2019 9:16 AM

    @Artax

    We need to stop making this a political football. Have you tried to negotiate Ricketts Street leading to Roebuck Street recently?

    It is getting worse.”

    What is the difficulty in implementing vigorous regulation

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