Page 91
148
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Since the introduction of Hawker Permitted Areas in 1974, unlicensed hawkers in increasing numbers have been trading in these areas. Besides those in HPA, there are many other unlicensed hawkers in most of the busy streets in Hong Kong and Kowloon. It is estimated by the Urban Services Department that there were about 11,000 unlicensed hawkers in the Urban area as against 30,000 licensed hawkers by the end of last year.
The situation of street trading has been gradually deteriorating as more unlicensed hawkers join in.
With the establishment of the General Duties Teams, the Urban Council feels that it is time to have more control over street trading in order to improve the environment in busy streets in town.
Surveys have been undertaken to find out how many hawkers are trading in Hawker Permitted Areas as well as in other densely populated hawker spots last year. According to these surveys, re-ordering exercises have been carried out area by area.
Up to date, most of the densely populated hawker areas in Central District and Wanchai on Hong Kong side, and 17 out of 19 Hawker Permitted Areas on Kowloon side have been through the re-ordering exercise.
The procedure of the re-ordering exercise is (1) to undertake a survey to find out how many established hawkers are in the area; (2) to register them and each registered hawker would be allocated a fixed pitch by ballot; and (3) all registered hawkers in the surveyed areas would become fixed pitch hawkers whether they were licensed or unlicensed before.
As a fixed-pitch stall is limited to 3′ × 4', generally, there are sufficient spaces for allocation to all existing established hawkers in the same area. All those areas covered by a re-ordering exercise are in densely populated street trading areas. Hawkers, either licensed or otherwise, after being allocated a fixed-pitch can trade legally and peacefully without fear of being arrested for obstruction or non-possession of licences. Up to the beginning of January this year, 1,552 new licences had been issued as a result of the re-ordering exercise.
Hawkers objecting to the scheme are mostly those who occupy a much bigger stall space; or those who, at the present moment, for one reason or another, have occupied the same sites in the area for a period, or those who may be required to change trade name, for instance, from selling meat or fish to selling other items.
Meat and fish are not allowed to be sold on street for hygienic reasons. Other hawkers, particularly those who are unable to get a good site or even a licence, heartily welcome the scheme.
It is a fair and workable scheme. It can be carried out smoothly if there is no pressure groups to press for bigger or better sites.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
149
The reason for the inability to offer bigger sites is due to limited space available in the streets. It is necessary to consider the traffic flow, the pedestrians, and easy access to shops.
When the Urban Council tries to demarcate street spaces for fixed-pitches, the Council always seeks the co-operation of other government departments, particularly, the City District Office; the Police, the Fire Services Department, and the Transport Department etc.
It is quite a complicated problem and the procedure is not as easy as certain hawkers think.
It is hoped that, if possible, the scheme may be extended to other street trading black spots.
May I turn to the problem for revision of hawker licence fees.
It is the policy of the Urban Council to collect sufficient fees to cover administrative cost.
Last year, the Urban Council collected $18.4 million from licence and such fees and spent $52.6 million for management of hawker affairs. The deficit exceeded $34 million, it is expected to spend more in 1981/82. Therefore, if we do not want to have still much heavier subsidy for controlling of hawkers, in other words, if we do not want to have more money paid out from rates, it is necessary to increase the licence fees. In 1981/82, the Budget for the Urban Council will be in red. Consequently, it is inevitable to revise the licence fees.
Some licensed hawkers complain that they are subsidizing the unlicensed hawkers as they have to pay higher fees while the General Duties Teams also control unlicensed hawkers.
As it has been explained before, that even with increased fees, the licensed hawkers only pay less than 40% of the total expenditure for hawker administration costs. It has also been mentioned earlier that there are about 30,000 licensed hawkers and 11,000 unlicensed hawkers. It is obvious that the rate payers are bearing the cost of controlling unlicensed hawkers.
If the re-ordering exercise for hawkers can be successfully carried out, it will turn most of the unlicensed established hawkers into licensed ones. Hawker licence fees cannot be described as excessive if we compare what they pay to what the shop keepers are paying for rental.
The General Duties Teams have done a good job during these hawker re-ordering exercises. Of course, more training would lead to more efficiency. In order to avoid conflicts between members of GD Teams and the hawkers, it would be always a good practice for the GDT to observe the rule of courtesy and patience.
Page 91 of 12
Page 92