Illegal Sidewalk Vendors Thriving

“The removal of bastas would result in a backlash against the authorities, because the people would consider that move an attack on their livelihoods, especially since Iraqis deride those who get in the way of their means of subsistence. The phenomenon has even turned into a political debate and an electoral issue,” Hassan added.

Wiam Fallah, a sidewalk vendor in Babel, told Al-Monitor, “Electoral candidates are flocking to areas occupied by basta vendors and they assure us that they will defend us and will not allow the removal of our shops. In reality, they only want to win our votes.”

Iraqi sidewalks have turned into commercial projects, which have become a rather serious issue. The state’s security and regulatory institutions cannot control them due to the corruption among the traders and owners of these projects, who pay the police and government inspectors a monthly fee.

In al-Shorja, one of the largest markets in Baghdad, economic control is extremely strict. Al-Monitor spoke to Ahmed al-Jabouri, another young vendor, as he displayed his electronic goods. He said that he has not been worried about his business for years, because he "agreed to pay off the municipal staff and the police.” Jabouri admitted that he “receives a phone call from staff members from municipalities whenever state inspectors are coming.”

Despite the wealth of sidewalk vendors and their reliable daily income, this business is still for the poor, according to social scientist Ali al-Moussawi. He told Al-Monitor, “The majority of sidewalk vendors are lower class youth with low income and no education.”

“Most of the vendors can’t afford the goods they are selling. These goods are the property of influential traders who own stores in the neighboring areas. They employ these young people and pay them a small daily amount of money,” Moussawi added.

While state inspectors have failed to curb the phenomenon, Babel City Council member Suhaila Abbas told Al-Monitor, “The solution is not to use force, but to provide other employment opportunities.”

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