Thanh Hoa traders occupy market in protest against privatisation

Hundreds of small traders in Thanh Hoa Province have occupied Bim Son Market throughout Tet in protest against a local authority decision to rent out the market to a private company.

Traders protest against market rental

Bim Son Market was established by local people long ago but was only officially built and put into use by local authorities in 1991. Since then, traders have had to pay a fee of about VND4.2-4.8million/a kiosk (USD200-230) and since 1998, they had to renew their contract of each kiosk every year for an increased fee.

The market was transferred to a private company in 2007 without informing its long-time merchants, but this was later cancelled following trader objections.

However, on December 28, 800 traders were suddenly informed at a meeting with Bim Son authorities that the market was be rebuilt and had already been rented out to the Dong Bac Trading and Construction Corporation in a 50 year contract.

Almost two weeks later, the traders received a warning that they had seven days to sign a contract with the Dong Bac Corporation, or they would be expelled from the market.

Displeased with the decisions, hundreds of traders have occupied the market throughout Tet to watch over their shops and to voice their opposition.

Pham Thi Mo, a trader at Bim Son Market, said, “We support the rebuilding of the market but they should have discussed it with us before renting out the land to Dong Bac Corporation for 50 years.”

The traders suggested that they contribute to the rebuilding of the market, in the hope that they could become co-owners, and avoid the future possibility of high rents or service charges. The authorities held another meeting with traders on January 29 but the meeting ended without agreement.

Le Van Dung, Chairman of Bim Son People’s Committee, explained, “We are moving from state-managed businesses to a privately-managed model, but people don’t want the change yet. We’re trying to convince people to accept the new managing model.”

People lived at the market through Tet

Traders occupied the market to guard their shops

By Lan Anh - Duy Tuyen | TienPhong, dtinews.vn

Motorbike fires stir up public concern

A number of motorbikes in Hanoi and other areas have caught fire recently for no apparent cause, causing worry among consumers. 

Motobike  fire on Chuong Duong Bridge

According to the Hanoi Fire Prevention Department, between December 1, 2010, and November 30 this year, there were 40 incidents of vehicle fires in Hanoi, including 11 motorbikes. In seven of these cases, motorbike owners simply left the site, leaving people and fire department to deal with the situation.

A Honda’s SH motorbike burst into flames at the crossroads of Kim Ma, Lieu Giai and Nguyen Chi Thanh streets after crashing into a car, causing a one-hour traffic jam at midday on December 12. There were no injuries.

In the end only the metal frame of the VND100 million (nearly USD4,700) motorbike remained. The fire lasted ten minutes, during which time the owner fled the scene. 

On December 9, a Honda Air Blade caught fire while driving in Hanoi on Nguyen Trai Street. The driver also escaped injury.

On December 14, an Attila Elizabeth of SYM suddenly caught fire on Cao Thang Street, Thanh Hoa Province. Luckily, the fire was quickly put out. The owner said she bought the motorbike in 2007. According to her, she saw smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle, She said that flames appeared when it was being parked in front of her hair dresser. 

Colonel To Xuan Thieu, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Fire Prevention Department, said, “It is difficult to find the cause of these fires because the debris left is often not enough to find the source. Also, there has been a lack of cooperation by owners of these vehicles. Most of these cases involve older motorbikes that have had previous owners. For this reason, it takes time to track down the actual drivers. We still have to uncover the reasons for these incidents to determine whether there was any criminal activity involved.”

Vuong Ngoc Tuan, Deputy General Secretary of the Vietnam Standards and Consumers Association, showed concern about the issue and stressed the importance of regular maintenance. He added that although there have been a lot of these types of accidents recently, only one owner has stepped forward and asked for help from the association. The accident in question occurred in Bac Ninh Province on December 1  and killed a woman who was three-months pregnant along with her four-year old daughter. 

Problem with motorbike production?

According to Do Huu Duc, Deputy Head of the Vietnam Register, the Ministry of Transport will conduct regular inspections of motorbike assembly plants in Vietnam.

To date, only Honda has given comment on the issue. They said that, despite adding additional safety checks, they have yet to detect any technical problems in the manufacturing process. 

 Honda SH on fire

Air Blade in flames

 

dtinews.vn