EVEN though selling goods on the streets without a license is against the law, hawkers, mostly undocumented workers, can be found all over the Saudi capital. In order to rid the city of this negative phenomenon, Riyadh Municipality has adopted novel approach, which is to allot temporary locations for street vendors and encourage them to apply for licenses, reports Al-Riyadh daily. The plan has proven successful and the places allocated by the municipality turned out to be insufficient to accommodate the large number of Saudi street vendors. Some have called on major corporations and certain government agencies to provide young Saudi men who have failed to find a job in the private or public sectors with refrigerated trucks so they can sell food items and even fruit and vegetables. Dr. Sadoon Al-Sadoon, a member of the Shoura Council, believes that traffic departments and municipalities should better coordinate their efforts to crack down on undocumented street vendors who sell fruit and vegetables on the streets. "Saudi men should be trained to enter this business and learn how to get a license and sell food without posing any danger to public health. The concerned authorities should run inspection visits and ensure that all vendors are in compliance with the regulations," he said. Economist Fadhl Al-Boanain agreed that young Saudi men should be supported and provided with necessary help so they can become successful vendors. "I hope all obstacles standing in the way of Saudis who want to make a living from this business are removed," he said. A source at the Riyadh Municipality said setting up kiosks and allotting spaces for Saudi street vendors has proven to be effective in eliminating undocumented foreign workers from the trade. Good money Muhammad Al-Otaibi, a Saudi vendor, said street vendors make good money and the startup costs are minimal. "I started by buying fruit and vegetables worth SR300 and began selling them from my car. All you have to do is to buy fresh fruit and vegetables or miscellaneous inexpensive items and find a good spot to market your goods. People usually love to buy stuff from me," he said. Muhammad Al-Shanqiti, another Saudi vendor, said after spending months searching for a job in the private sector, he decided to give street vending a shot at the suggestion of a friend. He now makes enough money to support himself and his family. "Some think it is an easy job but it is not. You have to spend long hours in the streets under the hot sun waiting for people to come and buy your stuff," he explained. Undocumented workers Many of the street vendors seen in Al-Batha, Manfouha and Al-Shumaisi neighborhoods of Riyadh are undocumented workers and violators of residency laws. In addition to food items, they sell anything from cell phone accessories to razors, perfumes and small gifts. Although they risk getting caught, several vendors who spoke to Al-Riyadh said the money they earn is worth the risk. Abdullah Khamis, an illegal street vendor, said this business is profitable but dangerous at the same time because municipality officers run ongoing inspection visits. He has to keep his eyes open all the time so that he does not get caught and deported. "I'm not sure how long illegals will be able to do this business but until that time comes, we will continue to take the risk," he said.
