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Santhosh Chandran
Doha
AS the shop owners, vendors and workers at the newly opened fish and meat market at Umm Salal continue to feel the pinch of lack of customers at the venue, there is another necessity that is plaguing them lack of public food outlets and cafeterias.
The workers have reportedly requested for public cafeterias and eateries in the market vicinity to the concerned authorities seeking their immediate intervention.
According to sources at the market, over 750 people fish vendors, sales assistants, loading workers, drivers, officials of different government organisations and cleaning staff spend 8 to 12 hours at the market daily and the absence of an eatery in the market is making their jobs all the more difficult.
A salesman at a shop said,"As we are working at stalls without any air-conditioner, we need frequent refreshments such as tea, coffee, fruit juices and snacks."
It is noteworthy that Umm Salal Market is located in a less populated area, far from the bustle of city life and eateries are hardly visible near the market.
A driver, who transports fish and meat to the market, said,"As we begin our work early morning from fish harbours, small eateries and cafeterias close to the market are our only source of mid-day meal. At the Old Central Market, there was a public cafeteria and several others near the complex and we did not have to struggle for food and refreshment. But, here the closest eatery is located in the commercial area of Umm Salal Ali and we have to travel this distance daily to get our food."
What is worse, according to the current work schedule from 6am to 10pm during weekdays, and from 6am to 10.30am and 3pm to 10pm on Fridays the workers, particularly salesmen, do not get enough time to spend long hours, especially on a weekday, trying to find food. The work timings are likely to change during the month of Ramadan.
