Market vendors, scalers ‘lose out’

A staff hiccup, which resulted in the protracted opening of a gate at the Bridgetown Fisheries Complex yesterday, stirred up some raw emotions among those who ply their trade there.

When a MIDWEEK NATION team arrived at the facility on Princess Alice Highway, a crowd, comprising mainly vendors and scalers, had gathered outside the locked gate. Expletives filled the air as they queried the delay, which they said would affect their earnings.

“The gate is opened every morning at 7 and it is 9:14 and the gate has not been opened yet,” said one vendor, who did not want to be identified.

“Nobody don’t care about us. Government workers can do as they feel because they will get a fixed salary at the end of the month, unlike us, who get pay according to the work we do. This is about the fourth time something like this happened.”

Another vendor, who identified herself as Martha, said the gate was opened to allow vendors and scalers access to fishing boats where they bought fish from fishermen. She said the delay affected their ability to fill customers’ orders. (SB)

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