Abdulrazzaq Rahoma sells ice cream and dates on a bridge in the west of the Egyptian city of Asyut. Known locally as the hawkers’ sheikh, he is also the founder of the first union to defend the rights of his fellow street sellers.

He explained how he gained support for the project and how he was inspired by the tragic story of Tarek al-Tayeb Mohamed Bouazizi, a Tunisian street vendor who set himself on fire in 2010.

Tell me about yourself, Abdulrazzaq Rahoma.

I dropped out school when I was 12 after I got my primary school certificate. I left due to social and financial difficulties and I am self-educated. I started selling ice cream and dates, and then worked for ten years as the Transportation Union driver. There I gained experience in the way unions work before returning to my original profession.

Bouazizi’s story in Tunisia inspired me and, during the Egyptian Revolution, I had the idea of establishing a union to protect hawkers’ rights, especially in the light of daily violations we undergo at the hands of local police. The imam of Hilaly mosque also suggested establishing such a union.

How did you form the union and did you face any challenges?

Firstly, I approached the Worker Affairs Department after I had conducted a field study for eight months. My plan was accepted by three quarters of the  estimated 750 hawkers in Asyut. The undersecretary told me that I needed to publicize the project first, so I went to the Social Insurance Undersecretary who welcomed the idea.

I started the process of publicity, then moved on to realising our aims, especially the creation of a market for hawkers. I went to the Chamber of Commerce which helped me come up with market project designs to show the governor. I would like to note that I didn’t have any difficulties during the this process, all officials were enthusiastic about the idea because it was the first of its kind in Egypt. But I urge the new governor to fast track the market project which is expected to consist of about 600 kiosks for hawkers selling fruit, vegetables and hardware.

What about street vendors pedalling food and drink?

If the government agrees, I will follow the Turkish example. Hawkers will be allowed to install metal cases on a street corner in return for a fee. In return they will be provided with life and health insurance. By doing so, we ensure clean products on sale from hawkers and also preserve their health.

What are the other goals of the union?

Providing legal protection for members facing police lawsuits and other development work, such as a workshop for hawkers’ daughters, providing financial aid and loans for indebted hawkers, organizing computer courses and sport leagues for hawkers’ children, establishing a Quran institute and illiteracy schools and providing for orphans.

How many members do you have?

We have 310 out of 750 hawkers in Asyut, but the number is growing. The moment a street seller hears of our union and its activities, he immediately applies to join it.

How do the police deal with hawkers?

The police approach hasn’t changed after the Revolution and a tragedy like Bouazizi might happen here, in every region. Before the Revolution, they used to fine hawkers who only gained 50 pennies L.E. 50 (US$8). They now fine them L.E. 1200.

How do you tackle street sellers’ problems?

There are many ways to solve our problems, most importantly having good markets like the Qaissaryia Gadida market, to be established under the supervision of the Chamber of Commerce in Tahakkuom Markazi Street, eastern Asyut, which will have a large number of kiosks for hawkers. In addition, we want the penalty for hawking to revert to how it was 1975: a fine of L.E. 50 and a one-month suspended imprisonment — rather than the current L.E. 1,200 and a three-month stint in prison. Finally, we seek improvements in the way the police deal with hawkers.

What do you think of the one-day market officals want to establish? Will it solve hawkers’ problem?

It will fail, as happened with the old market in Hamra, east of Asyut. That flopped because it opened in a remote area where there was no interest in buying or selling. Hawkers made great losses and had to return to the streets. Such a market add to our problems because large amounts of fruit and vegetables would remain unsold, causing big losses.

Finally, what is your message to officials?

I hope Dr. Yehya Kishk, Governor of Asyut, decides to establish the hawkers’ market as soon as possible, contributing to the success of the President’s 100-day plan to end the traffic chaos. Hawkers on the street block traffic and hamper the police. Thus, I would like to say to him: ‘We want your help. We hope you make our demands happen.’