Street Traders Demand Employment
The street traders took to the streets to protest. They demanded that the government either find employment for them or allow them to resume trading. The protest lasted two hours, but the government gave no sign that their demands would be met.
The street traders have threatened to hold a larger protest if nothing is done. They say that since the new government came into power, the number of unemployed people has increased and street traders are going without food. The Mayor’s office considers that the problem of street traders has already been solved.
On January 28 street traders started protest action in Tbilisi. They protested the decision of Tbilisi municipality regarding the prohibition of street trading from February 1st. The municipality offered outside traders to move to the markets that appeared unacceptable for them.
The demonstration was dispersed by the special group of police.