Ta Khmao District-Kandal: about 300 business people of Ta Khmao market gathered in front of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s residence on September 11, 2008 to ask for his intervention in their selling places at Ta Khmao market.

One of women who sells counterfeit jewelries Mrs. Phu Maly said “we are now coming here to request Prime Minister Hun Sen for his intervention in keeping their selling sites in the same places because a few days ago, one of market committee members came to record their names in order to move their selling places to new ones at new Ta Khmao market behind Kandal provincial hall which claimed not to be beneficial for business people”. She added “we have sold our products here for more than 10 years and we pay 1,000 riels per day for market tax and even pay for order and security and various services. We are required to pay the total of 5,000 riels per day. Due to poverty, we are willing to sell outside of the market. If we have money, we buy stores inside the market and now, we are moved to new Ta Khmao market and required to pay $50-$60 per month, where can we get money to pay while our sale is just enough to eat for one day”.

Another woman selling vegetables outside of the market Mrs. Kri Yana said she had sold here for about 20 years, up to now, she heard that business people would be evicted to new Ta Khmao market. She added if eviction done in equal manner, she would agree. Only some of business people would be subjected to eviction and those who sell on both sides of market wouldn’t be moved out. If she is rich, she doesn’t bother to come for Prime Minister Hun Sen’s help, but this is only one household-supported business. She said “ if I would be removed, what would I depend on”.

The business people said selling places where they are now occupying have been bought from previous business people to the value of US$2,000 onward and buying stores recognized by Ta Khmao and market committee as well.
Ta Khmao commune chief Mr. Chiem Khouy couldn’t be reached for comment on this matter.

Ta Khmao market management said the market committee hadn’t yet notified the business people so that they would move to new places, but they were worried because they were selling on public road leading to market and he didn’t know about buying and selling stores of business people. The business people buy and sell store by themselves secretly.(By Chhunheat)