The voice of street vendors

Street vendors are an integral part of city life. People have easy access to most household goods at cheap prices. The vendors, on the other hand, are able to earn a living without having to worry about overhead costs like exorbitant rent and utilities. But it’s no easy job, say vendors ApEx spoke to. There are many challenges because of which they are always troubled. Here they share their worries and hopes.

Binuta Magar, 17

As a college student, I work as a vendor in hopes of earning some money to support my studies and also get some pocket money. I have to work as my family’s financial situation isn’t that great. I actually wanted to go abroad to study but I’m unable to do so.  I wish the government would do something to help the poor—perhaps give them some work opportunities or if not, at least look into how they can make the environment better for them to do their own thing with dignity. The inflation is so high that vendors like me have to make do with the bare minimum.   

Prakash Subedi, 35

My source of income comes from selling vegetables from a cart. I’ve been doing that for the past two years. I make enough money from this to support my family but it’s just the basics. There isn’t much left for anything else. It’s not easy. As vendors, we have to brave the weather and don’t have the luxury to say we won’t go out to work today because it’s raining or it’s too hot. Worse, the local authorities and the police often chase us away, hampering our business. I live in constant threat that the police will take my cart away and I won’t be able to earn a living.

Amar Raj Bista, 51

I have been working in the Pepsicola area since 2022. I was working in Kalanki before this. Right now, the financial situation is so dire. I can’t afford to rent a space. The best I could do was build a little shed to sell garments. I have to pay the landowner and something I don’t have enough money left. I feel trapped and I’m unable to change things. My family suffers too because we have to make do with what we have. I hope the government wakes up and decides to do something to make work easy and respectful for us.