The good news on Saturday was known to all of the informal sellers in Cartagena, who for weeks protested against the draft decree that seeks to impose fees on the use of public places, as well as on the mobility of citizens, which has been affected by this mobilization. Read: Details of the decree regulating public space usage fees
It should be remembered that the last protest was held on Thursday 28 July. It began after 8:30 in the morning at the Transcaribe station in Pazorto, progressed along the avenue Pedro de Heredia and ended at the office of the Mayor of Cartagena, in the Plaza de la Aduana, demanding dialogues with the Mayor of Cartagena, William Dow. As he passed, he closed the Transcaribe solobus lane for more than two hours, blocking vehicular traffic. Read: Unofficial sellers’ protest has reached the historic center
After this demonstration, the county stated that it had responded, through the management of public space and mobility, to the appeal of social leaders and informal vendors who disagreed with the draft Economic Use of Public Spaces Ordinance. Read: Workers protesting the “privatization decree” of public space ..
In this meeting, the Director of Public Space and Mobility, Camilo Blanco, listened to the concerns and requests of the vendors.
There was interest in these protests and we came up with concrete solutions. It is part of the calm because we have made great progress in communicating this project, in the benefits it can bring to this population,” Blanco noted. Read: “Public space will not be privatized”: the boycott
As a result of this meeting, two basic agreements are reached: first, the sellers’ union sends its proposals and observations in writing on the draft decree. After receiving them, these proposals will be reviewed and relevant adjustments will be made in accordance with the rule. Read: Fenalco urges province to decree public spaces
The official also noted that the entity is working on a draft county policy for public spaces, which contains a special chapter for casual sellers in the city.
He pointed out that “we will publish this draft socially, and we will set a work schedule during the next few months, to agree on what is contained in the region’s general policy for public space.”
The governorate reiterated that this decree seeks to recognize and reconcile the tension that may arise between the right to work, the right to a vital minimum, and the right to enjoy public space.
Once the amendment phase is over and all internal legal formalities are completed, the public will be informed of its final version.
