04 May 2013
RIYADH -- Hamid Al-Saadi, a mobile vendor in Riyadh, has called on city officials to approve regulations for Saudi vendors and issue licenses that will allow them to legally work in the capital city.
Mobile vendors, particularly those offering food, sell their goods from motorized vehicles instead of a storefront location.
According to Al-Saadi, the majority of cities and governorates in the Kingdom issue licenses to Saudi nationals to work as mobile vendors as long as they are in compliance with local health codes, Al-Riyadh Arabic daily reported Thursday.
Al-Saadi said some mobile vendors use work permits obtained from the Kingdom's other cities and governorates like Al-Kharj governorate, Abha and Khamis Mushayt and Makkah region to work in Riyadh and questioned why the city was reluctant to issue such licenses.
"Why are mobile vendors being prevented from working? Their vehicles are confiscated and fines are imposed on them by Riyadh Municipality. At the same time, mobile vendors who obtained licenses from other regions are allowed to practice the profession in Riyadh," he said.
Self-contained motorized vehicles used to prepare and serve foods typically cost an average of SR115,000.
Many mobile vendors have full-time jobs and only work in the evenings to supplement their salaries.
Popular foods and drinks sold by the vendors include soft drinks, tea, baleelah (a chickpeas dish), ice cream and other food items.
RIYADH -- Hamid Al-Saadi, a mobile vendor in Riyadh, has called on city officials to approve regulations for Saudi vendors and issue licenses that will allow them to legally work in the capital city.
Mobile vendors, particularly those offering food, sell their goods from motorized vehicles instead of a storefront location.
According to Al-Saadi, the majority of cities and governorates in the Kingdom issue licenses to Saudi nationals to work as mobile vendors as long as they are in compliance with local health codes, Al-Riyadh Arabic daily reported Thursday.
Al-Saadi said some mobile vendors use work permits obtained from the Kingdom's other cities and governorates like Al-Kharj governorate, Abha and Khamis Mushayt and Makkah region to work in Riyadh and questioned why the city was reluctant to issue such licenses.
"Why are mobile vendors being prevented from working? Their vehicles are confiscated and fines are imposed on them by Riyadh Municipality. At the same time, mobile vendors who obtained licenses from other regions are allowed to practice the profession in Riyadh," he said.
Self-contained motorized vehicles used to prepare and serve foods typically cost an average of SR115,000.
Many mobile vendors have full-time jobs and only work in the evenings to supplement their salaries.
Popular foods and drinks sold by the vendors include soft drinks, tea, baleelah (a chickpeas dish), ice cream and other food items.
© The Saudi Gazette 2013
