FOOD vendors in Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, have claimed “oppression” after being ordered to close their doors for a week ahead of Remembrance Day, November 10.

However, the Local Culinary Ambassadors Association (ALCA), which represents some 62 traders, said it would not budge because the financial losses would be “too great”.

Vendors were informed Oct. 22 by the Department of Agriculture that they would have to vacate the space to accommodate celebrations at the Savannah on Memorial Day.

ALCA president Michael Williams told the Express yesterday the request was unprecedented and “illogical” because Remembrance Day activities “start early and finish in the afternoon”.

He said vendors used to leave the food court completely for Independence Day celebrations, which last for more than a week.

“This has never been a problem for us because this area is needed for Independence Day. We’ve always respected that,” Williams said.

He added: “There is no activity this week before Memorial Day; there is no reason for us to move.

He said the sellers would not obey this time, as they have “always done”, because they consider the ministry’s order to be unreasonable and unjustified.

The ALCA also took issue with the department’s “disrespect,” Williams said.

“They didn’t call us or try to talk to us,” Williams said.

He explained that Remembrance Day usually featured a ceremony in the morning, with vendors usually leaving the premises the day before and returning in the afternoon.

“The night before we always clear out and clean the area,” Williams said.

“It’s never been a problem. We also pay people to maintain the area, including public toilets.

Williams said moving costs money and some vendors pay up to $1,600 to move their food trailers and bring them back.

“A week before the ceremony, they don’t do anything, but we should just close our doors. We should just stop doing our job. We shouldn’t eat for a week,” Williams said, adding that denying vendors their rights was not the right way to honor veterans on Memorial Day.

Williams said the food court is traditionally moved for the carnival season and praised the National Carnival Commission (NCC) for “always respecting and consulting us”.

The Queen’s Park savannah is managed by the Horticultural Services Division of the Ministry of Agriculture. Attempts to respond by the division, as well as by Agriculture Minister Kazim Hosein, failed.

No work, no pay

Williams and the vendors who joined the Express in Savannah yesterday said that when they weren’t selling, they couldn’t pay their employees.

Nearly 200 people have found employment at the popular Savannah food court, which offers a range of cuisines, but primarily local and Caribbean dishes.

Salesman Andrew Bute said being “suddenly” told to close his doors for a week was very stressful, and criticized the ministry for “being punctual with people’s livelihoods”.

He added that sellers would also be faced with perishable goods, including “expensive” fresh produce.

The ministry said in its letter that “the 2024 Remembrance Day and wreath-laying ceremony will take place on Sunday, November 10, 2024 at Memorial Park, Port of Spain.”

“The main activities will be the rehearsals and military parade which begin and end at Queen’s Park Savannah,” the letter added.

It then informed sellers that to facilitate these activities, members must “cease all sales from midnight on Sunday, November 3, 2024 until 4 p.m. on Sunday, November 10.”

The department ordered that vendors “remove all vehicles, tents, booths and other items parked and stored along the paved and grass path leading from the gated entrance to Queen’s Park Savannah, across from Memorial Park to at the east entrance to the Grand Stand. “.

The ALCA was also informed that items removed from the food court “must not be moved to unauthorized grassed areas within Queen’s Park Savannah.”

The ministry said its request was “in line with the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding” between the then Ministry of Food Production, Land and Marine Affairs and ALCA, dated January 10, 2012.

Violation of rights

Williams said ALCA was a registered and legal entity and had a binding agreement with the ministry.

“It’s a violation of our rights,” he said.

Sherry-Ann Joseph said the food court has only become more popular in recent years, including with tourists.

“We sometimes get busloads of tourists coming here,” Joseph said.

She said most vendors were open “every day” and the area served as an important and “safe” recreational space.

“We get people coming here for their business meetings,” Joseph said.

She was among the vendors citing transportation costs to get in and out of the food court, and said it was stressful not being able to pay their employees.