• Home

Street sale ban empties streets

The news-hawkers have all along been a common sight, as they woo customers at roundabouts and other strategic places where traffic tends to slow down. Many of them get into the act quite early in the morning, the chores stretching till late in the evening. Some of them take to sporting umbrella-like contraptions above their heads to ward off the heat and dust.

"It helps us marginally supplement our income and now we have to forego this bit," said a newsboy.

With an eveninger also in the fray of publications, our fortunes were getting better, he said.

In Al Ain, the main roads, malls and shops wore a deserted look but a few smart newsboys got on to their bikes to deliver publication to the various government offices.

"A large number of newsboys, however, face unemployment," said a circulation manager of an Arabic newspaper in Al Ain.

In Ajman too the sales of publications on the main streets have come to a complete halt. In Sharjah special kiosks have been set up for the sales of publications. Street sales had already been banned in the emirate as well as Dubai.

• UAE