The Straw Market was closed on March 15 and 16 due to environmental and social concerns.
The decision resulted from a committee of people from various government agencies, who met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Cynthia Pratt. They agreed to come up with a plan of action for the issues presented by market vendors.
Mrs Pratt visited the facility on March 6 and said she got to see first-hand the conditions workers face on a day-to-day basis, and the issues that pose regular challenges. Pratt, whose ministry is now officially responsible for the market following the February 21 Cabinet reshuffle (sic), addressed concerns of violence, crime, a large illegal immigrant presence and infrastructural problems.
The decision to close the market had come with mixed emotions, as many straw vendors felt they had lost two days of work.
The controversy surrounding illegals working at the market is among the more pressing concerns of the tourist attraction. Pratt insisted recently that all illegals will be weeded out because the Straw Market is simply “for Bahamians” only.
“The Straw Market is for Bahamians, there’s no question about that.
So those illegal persons who are there must go, no question,” she said recently. She added that the Immigration Department will be talking to the vendors and keeping a very close watch on the market.
“The market must be made for Bahamians alone,” she said recently while speaking of how all of the illegal vendors mysteriously disappeared on the day she toured the facility. Reportedly they had been forewarned of her coming. They resumed business after she had left.
By VIRAJ PERPALL, Guardian Staff Reporter
