Disagreements over business fees between traders and the Thuan Hoa Market Management Board have made trading here difficult. The conflict climaxed when the market gate was welded shut and rocks were poured to block the entrance.
Trader Nguyen Anh Quan said that Thuan Hoa commune market meets once a week on Saturday.
"In 2022, Thuan Hoa market will be subcontracted by Cuong Tham Service Cooperative. After that, the fee will be 550 thousand VND/year indoors and 450 thousand VND/year outdoors.
In 2024, the market management board requested to change to collecting fees by square meter. All the traders did not agree and were upset, leading to conflicts," said Mr. Quan.
According to Mr. Quan, in early 2024, the People's Committee of Thuan Hoa commune held a meeting between traders and the market management board. The management board requested that from 2024, each square meter will be charged 15,000 VND/month. Thus, Mr. Quan's kiosk of about 18 square meters will pay 270,000 VND/month. In a year, he will have to pay 3,240,000 VND.
"The increase in kiosk fees is so high and against regulations that it makes small traders angry and disagree.
It is necessary to clarify how Thuan Hoa market applies the fee according to regulations so as not to make it difficult for traders," said Mr. Quan.
According to Mr. Quan, after a period of disagreement over the fee collection, many conflicts arose in October 2024. On October 5, when traders arrived at the market, the gate was locked. After that, people had to break the gate to enter and trade.
On October 19, Thuan Hoa market continued to have its gate welded and rocks poured over it to block the entrance. After reporting to the authorities, the traders and authorities had to clear the rocks and break the gate to enter the market.
Also indignant, trader Hoang Thi Thao said she has been doing business at Thuan Hoa market for nearly 25 years. The market fee collection by square meter is unreasonable. Currently, traders are all protesting.
"Because the market is held once a week, charging fees per square meter is not right. This will cause great disadvantages to small traders.
"When the two sides have not reached an agreement, small traders are hindered from doing business," said Ms. Thao.
On October 22, speaking with Lao Dong Newspaper reporter, Mr. Pham Van Tuan - Vice Chairman of Thuan Hoa Commune People's Committee confirmed that there is disagreement about fee collection at Thuan Hoa market.
"When there was a conflict, the district leaders went down to check and resolve it, but there was no specific conclusion yet. It is being assigned to the departments for consideration. If possible, the contract with the market management board will be terminated.
At the same time, we must also wait for the province's conclusion on specific market prices and classifications to apply the fee," said the leader.
According to the Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Thuan Hoa Commune, closing the gate and dumping rocks to block the path at the market was completely wrong. The local authorities have directly come down to handle the situation and requested that it not happen again so that people have a place to do business and trade.
According to Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Cuong - Director of Cuong Tham Cooperative, the contractor for Thuan Hoa market is regulated due to the policy on market conversion model. Invest more than 800 million to renovate and repair Thuan Hoa market. In previous years, before renovation, there was no fee calculated per square meter. In case, if there is still no consensus, the unit accepts to liquidate the contract.
*Names of vendors have been changed upon request.
