Vendors at Orto-Sai Market Demand Lower Rent
Market Sellers in Kyrgyzstan Demand Rent Reduction
Sellers at the Kulun-Ata and Oberon markets in Orto-Sai, Kyrgyzstan, are demanding a reduction in rent, citing unfair prices and poor market conditions. The head of the State Committee for National Security, Kamchybek Tashiev, has urged market management to create better conditions for sellers and reduce the rents.
Roza Isamidinova, chairperson of the Trade Union of Kulun-Ata market, stated that despite promises, the rent was only reduced by 10%, which equates to 890 soms. She also criticized the rental price being tied to the dollar exchange rate, arguing that as they live in Kyrgyzstan, they should not have to pay in foreign currency.
Sellers at the market also compared their rent to that of Junhai (Dordoi) market, where a 50% discount has been provided, with some sellers paying as low as 2,400 soms, compared to the 9,000 soms being paid at their market. The sellers are asking for a 50% reduction in rent to alleviate the financial burden.
Additionally, the conditions at the market have also been criticized by the sellers, with complaints about the state of the toilets and lack of functioning facilities.
The situation is similar at the Oberon market, also located at Orto-Sai market, where sellers were promised a 10% reduction in land rent but are now asking for a 20% reduction, as originally promised.
The vendors’ demands for rent reduction are part of a larger movement within the country, with rallies held across the country by market vendors at the end of 2023. They are also demanding the use of licenses for trade and not to use cash registers.
In response to the demands, President Sadyr Japarov met with sellers at the Dordoi market, recognizing that tax authorities were not ready for innovations. Kamchybek Tashiev also threatened to take away the markets if the owners did not create better conditions for traders, including reducing the cost of renting retail space.
The market sellers’ demands for fair conditions and reduced rents are indicative of the struggles faced by small business owners in Kyrgyzstan and the ongoing efforts to address these issues at a governmental level.
