By Thet Sambath
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
Hundreds of vendors at a Battambang town market went on strike and protested at the provincial governor's office after the market's owner demanded that they pay 10 percent tax on the rental of their stalls.
After closing their stalls at Boeng Chhouk market Monday, some 200 vendors marched to the provincial office and then to Battambang district office seeking intervention, protesters said.
"[Officials] told us they will help achieve a compromise," market vendor Long Sokha said.
Kann Chhon, director of the Kim Hok Heng company which owns the market, informed the vendors that on Dec 15, they must pay their next six months rental fees, plus 10 percent rental tax which the company will then pay to the Ministry of Finance.
Vendors currently pay between $25 and $37.50 per month. A tax of 10 percent would bring this up to between $27.50 and $41.25.
"For people who have not paid their shop's rent from Jan 1 2007, the company will rent [their stall space] to others," Kann Chhon said in a letter dated Dec 1. "If businessmen think the rent is too high, please hand over the shops to the company."
But protestors said they are already paying more rent than they can afford, and only want to pay $10 to $15 per month in total.
"We have no more clients to buy goods in the market but the monthly payment is higher," clothes vendor Lim Tieng said. "We demand that the provincial authority helps us."
Prin Tony, a deputy provincial governor, said he has accepted a written complaint from the protestors and forwarded it to the provincial investment committee, headed by Provincial Governor Prach Chan.
But Prach Chan said the vendors and company owner must resolve the dispute by themselves.
"It is a private issue between the renters and the company. We have nothing to do with this because the market does not belong to the state," he said.
After closing their stalls at Boeng Chhouk market Monday, some 200 vendors marched to the provincial office and then to Battambang district office seeking intervention, protesters said.
"[Officials] told us they will help achieve a compromise," market vendor Long Sokha said.
Kann Chhon, director of the Kim Hok Heng company which owns the market, informed the vendors that on Dec 15, they must pay their next six months rental fees, plus 10 percent rental tax which the company will then pay to the Ministry of Finance.
Vendors currently pay between $25 and $37.50 per month. A tax of 10 percent would bring this up to between $27.50 and $41.25.
"For people who have not paid their shop's rent from Jan 1 2007, the company will rent [their stall space] to others," Kann Chhon said in a letter dated Dec 1. "If businessmen think the rent is too high, please hand over the shops to the company."
But protestors said they are already paying more rent than they can afford, and only want to pay $10 to $15 per month in total.
"We have no more clients to buy goods in the market but the monthly payment is higher," clothes vendor Lim Tieng said. "We demand that the provincial authority helps us."
Prin Tony, a deputy provincial governor, said he has accepted a written complaint from the protestors and forwarded it to the provincial investment committee, headed by Provincial Governor Prach Chan.
But Prach Chan said the vendors and company owner must resolve the dispute by themselves.
"It is a private issue between the renters and the company. We have nothing to do with this because the market does not belong to the state," he said.
1 comment:
Please clean up The city of Battambang by employing our own people or professional waste managements. All road needs to be fixed, washed or swept and collected trash weekly,if not daily. Planting flowers, trees or evergreen bushes and cutting grass to improve its appearance.
We need to bring back the old charm of " Champa Battambang ". Go right ahead and collect tax and fees. It's about time that someone is trying to organize or do something about it. The city or country needs money to do thing. It will be better in a long run. So long as it deosn't go into Mr. Governor's bank account.
What happens to " Soun Koma or Children's garden" that use to be by the river? Soun Koma was locating on the other side of the river, front of the old post office. Anyone remember our New Year in 1974 at Soun Koma in Battambang? It was a wonderful wonderful and most memorable event. That was the last time, we saw Battambang City looking at its best.
Anyway, we can create so many more jobs by creating taxes and fees, but 10% is a little too high. 6% or less is better. Starting out small and do according to what our people can pay. Tell our people what you are going to do with their money that you collect from them. Earning their trust and work your way from there. Good luck with your next election! Please don't wash your hands away. Talk to your upper bosses and bring the taxes and fees down. Make our people happy! and you in return will be happy!:)
Ordinary Khmers
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