Stores Closed in “Bon Market”

In Batumi, the traders of clothes and other home items in the so-called Bon market are protesting against the lease rent. According to them, despite the promise of the market administration the rent has been increased by 50 GEL. They had to pay 70 GEL last month.

The market administration sealed 22 stores two days ago due to the non-payment of the rent. According to the decision of Batumi City Hall and Boni market administration, the street traders of Tsereteli St. have been transferred to the market since the month of August. As the traders state, that is why the market administration decreased their lease rent from 120 GEL to 70 GEL. However, the change has not been noted in the lease agreement. After two months, the administration of Boni market is asking them to pay the tax according to the old rule.

“We are asking the security to give back our items that they sealed and we can also trade outside. But they are not opening them until we pay money. The traders in the yard of the market do not have to pay any tax and they are not even asked to have cashbox. Because of them, the amount of our clients has been decreased and they are asking us to pay the old amount of tax?” – states Giuli Diasamidze, a trader.

Nobody comments on the issue from the Boni market administration.

Maka Malakmadze, Adjara