The Association of Street Vendors of Tenerife (Avamte) has requested an urgent meeting with the Santa Cruz City Council to discuss the recent decree concerning the closure and subsequent reopening of the municipal Rastro. The organisation is seeking “transparency and immediate access” to the administrative documents that formed the basis for the council’s decision to halt activities in the area surrounding the Nuestra Señora de África Market and its subsequent “conditional” relocation to another site.
Avamte has filed an official request with the city council to address the current plight of the Rastro vendors, highlighting that “the repercussions of this measure affect the livelihoods of more than 400 families.” The association, which encompasses numerous market traders, expressed its apprehension regarding what it perceives as “a lack of communication and prior consultation from the local administration.”
Antonio Tejeda, the general secretary, stated, “up until now, there have been no formal notifications to the representatives of the traders regarding alleged irregularities in the market, raising significant concerns about the administrative diligence involved.” He further questioned “why corrective actions have not been implemented before the closure decree and the subsequent decision for conditional reopening, which appears to depend on the vendors exhibiting good behaviour.”
Tejeda remarked that this decision by the council “has instilled uncertainty among vendors about the conditions under which they can operate, shifting a burden of responsibility for potential infringements without prior warning.” He emphasised that “this situation affects not just the Rastro traders but also all street vendors across the Island, who are worried about the management of this renowned market,” adding that the association urges the city council to “uphold the principles of legality and proportionality in its administrative actions.”
Apart from the presentation of the reports, a meeting has been requested with municipal officials to examine the situation and ensure that any future measures “honour the rights of those concerned and conform to the current legal framework.” Tejeda reiterated his commitment to collaborate “in the pursuit of a fair and sustainable resolution for all affected parties.”
On the 6th, the city council announced the closure of the Rastro adjacent to the Recova due to “non-compliance” with the regulations highlighted in reports from the company in charge of the Self-Protection Plan and the local Police. Issues listed included unlicensed sales, failure to adhere to schedules; access to restricted areas; sale of counterfeit goods and vandalism, amongst others. Ultimately, an agreement was reached to allow the market to continue operations until after Epiphany.
