Bangladesh Hawkers Federation on Thursday demanded that the government makes a national policy and a law to stop harassment of street vendors.
General secretary of the federation Mohammad Rafiqul Islam placed the demand at a press conference at Asad Auditorium at Workers Party’s central office in the city.In a written statement, he said hawkers contribute to the national economy by footpath selling of products, manufactured by small, medium and cottage industries.
“The hawkers face harassments for lack of policy and law to protect them” he said.
He requested the government to formulate a national policy and enacting a law for the hawkers before the International Hawkers Day, which would be observed on May 26.
He made several recommendations for the draft of the policy, including making a list of the hawkers across the country, giving identity cards to them and giving recognition of their professions.
Adviser to the organisation Abul Hossain, president Arif Chowdhury, central leaders Shahin Talukder, Habibur Rahman, Haider Ali, Mohammad Abul Kalam, Mitu Begum , Kamal Chowdhury and Hanufa Begum were present at the press conference.
The Hawkers Federation will hold a rally in Dhaka on May 26 to mark the International Hawkers Day. – UNB
