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# HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
## ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN
CHAIRMAN (in English): Ladies and Gentlemen, the meeting is called to order. But before taking the first item on the agenda, I would like all Members to stand in silence for one minute in remembrance of our former Governor, Sir David TRENCH, who died in England on the 3 December this year.
## MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 15 November 1988, were confirmed.
## PAPER
The following paper was laid on the table:—
(1) Report to the Urban Council by the Director of Urban Services and Secretary, Urban Council, for the month of November 1988.
## QUESTIONS
1. MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question (in English):-In order to reduce the number of young adults engaged in illegal hawking (which number may well be in the thousands), can the Council seek the cooperation of the Government in devising an imaginative programme in recruiting such young illegal hawkers to receive training free for employment in the construction industry, where there is a very serious shortage of construction workers, and where the wages are high, reported to be in the region of about $10,000 monthly?
DR. THE HONOURABLE ELSIE TU, CHAIRMAN OF THE MARKETS AND STREET TRADERS SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):—Mr. Chairman, the question asks whether the Council can seek the cooperation of the Government in devising an imaginative programme in recruiting young illegal hawkers to receiving training free for employment in the construction industry where there is a very serious shortage of workers. In fact, I mentioned this possibility recently myself in reply to a question in this Council by Dr. Philip KWOK.
The labour shortage in Hong Kong has been affecting all sectors of the economy and not that of the construction industry alone. Certainly for the past 2-3 years, it is fair to say that any able-bodied person of working age and regardless of skills or educational background could, if that was his or her inclination, have found employment. Even unskilled labour has been receiving relatively attractive wages. Yet this situation has made little impact on the illegal hawker problem. One is thus forced to conclude that the majority of such hawkers are now involved in this activity more from choice than necessity.
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With respect to the construction industry, members may be aware that the Construction Industry Training Authority operates a number of centres and courses to specifically train persons to enter the industry. The Authority in general targets for recruits with F.3 and in the age range of 17 to the early 20s. The courses not only are free but trainees are paid while under training. The courses range from 3-month short courses to 1-year full-time courses followed by a form of apprenticeship for 2-3 years. Qualified construction technicians can earn from $280-$400 per day. For the past 2 years, in spite of wide-ranging publicity, the Training Authority has been unable to meet its recruitment targets.
Although a definitive age profile of the illegal hawker population is difficult to determine on the basis of arrest statistics, the percentage of young people below age 25 is not large. It is believed to be about 4%, i.e., 400 persons out of an unlicensed hawker population of approximately 10,000.
There is no reason to think that such persons are unaware of the opportunities elsewhere. There is every reason to believe that even if they left the hawking trade, they would only be replaced by other family members.
Hawking, including illegal hawking, offers attractions with which paid employment cannot compete. Hawkers are their own bosses, they can work flexible hours, they have high profit margins and low overheads, and they can, in practice, escape paying taxes. They also, in many cases, earn a good living.
It seems unlikely under present conditions that our existing hardcore illegal hawkers can be attracted to enter legitimate employment or undergo employment-related training.
We must accept that the problem is an intransigent one. The only solutions are to re-open limited licensing, enhanced enforcement, and more realistic financial penalties.
MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN (in English):—Mr. Chairman, may I ask VCUC what are the reasons which lead us to believe that even if these young persons left the hawking trade, they would only be replaced by other family members? Couldn't the enhanced control measures and other measures as mentioned in the last sentence of VCUC's reply be able to cut down the number of these young people if we have already persuaded them not to continue the hawking trade?
DR. THE HONOURABLE ELSIE TU (in English):—Mr. Chairman, I think it is obvious that when one member of a family stops hawking, the space is occupied: it is immediately filled up by his family members because then they can have one person working, one person hawking. I think it is quite obvious that this is what would happen. On the other hand, if you talk to young hawkers as I have done, you will find that they don't want to give up hawking. They prefer hawking to taking a job. But the number of that category is quite small, and the majority of hawkers are above the age for training. The majority are over 40 or 50 years of age.
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