The new legal framework adopted on 23 April brings about direct changes in the everyday life of popular markets and concerns provisions:
(a) simplification in the institutional context (competence, location, controls); and
(b) licensing and practical professionalisation.
Operating Framework:
Concentration of responsibilities in the Operation Body of People's Markets with:
(a) the full transfer of responsibilities for both organizational and operational issues such as the location of the people (establishment, movement, abolition)
(b) the granting and transfer of professional licences
(c) control over the operation of licensed producers and professionals
(d) issuing a notice of new posts for licences with a special and immediate procedure for the entry of new sellers into the laity
Practical Issues:
(a) transfer of permits to relatives of more than one degree in case of termination of employment or death
(b) replacement by a relative of first degree without time limit and by an employee as 9 months for licensed producers and as 3 months for licensed professionals
(c) support for the operation of the bench may be provided to the licensed person by his relatives in relation to up to and including second degree throughout the year;
(d) digitisation of paper licences and their conversion into indefinite time
(e) simplification of the social criteria for granting new licences and the possibility of converting a producer licence to a professional within 4 months
Because it interests consumers
People's markets have an 80% rate of consumer satisfaction for prices and 70% prefers them for product quality, as last year's survey of the Attica Region People's Markets Agency has shown through Metron Analysis and therefore new regulations beyond license holders are largely about consumers.
Still 49% of the inhabitants of Attica regularly visit the popular, i.e. about 2 million people, while 68% shop from both supermarkets and folk.
About 70% buys fruit and vegetables in principle while several other items such as eggs, nuts, clothing etc.
Almost half consumers spend from 20 to 40 Euros and almost 30% spend as 20 Euros during their visit to the popular neighborhood.
Cooperation between the Parties concerned
The passage of the new law comes following a series of consultations between the Ministry of Development, the Per. Attica, representatives of the federations of producers and the professionals of the popular markets along with the legal partners of the Agency and the Ministry of Development.
In the effective cooperation of the parties involved, the Region of Attica and the Regional Chief Mr. Chardalias played a key role, highlighting the role of directness of the Government in the consultation between social and professional bodies with the central administration of the state.
Finally, as the relevant research has shown, the grassroots carried out in almost every municipality and neighborhood still have a leading role for consumers and the cooperation of the competent authorities of the state and government with the licensed professionals can only benefit the industry and consumers.
* Stavros Tassiopoulos is a Lawyer Par Ario Pagos, a Public Law & Political Science MID
