The open bazaar in Graham Street, Central. Businesses urge the government not to issue new hawker licenses to avoid over-competition.Edmond Tang

Federation of Hong Kong, Kowloon and New Territories Hawkers Association yesterday urged the government not to resume issuing hawker licenses designated for busy districts to avoid excessive competition.

The call was made by the hawkers association at a press conference yesterday.

The appeal came after the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) revealed earlier that it would discuss with the government on resuming licensing to preserve the typical open bazaar character in Graham Street, Central.

The bazaar is part of a HK$3.8-billion URA project, which will redevelop the area around Graham Street and Peel Street and preserve the existing traditional streetscape and local cultural character.

Currently there are 6,300 hawkers and 700 itinerant hawkers in Hong Kong, employing about 20,000 people.

The government had stopped issuing license to new operators three decades ago, sparking fear that the characteristics of the local community would fade away when the existing hawkers close down their business one after another because of old age.

Despite the dwindling number of hawkers, the federation chairman, Tsang Kam-ming said competition among them in busy district was intense, and issuing license to new operators would affect their business.

"I think the government should carefully consider the impact caused to the market condition by issuing license to new operators. Besides, the busy districts are over crowded. Having more new operators would affect our life," he said.

"But we support the government decision to issue licenses restricted to remote districts, such as newly developed towns which do not have many shopping facilities, or which open at special hours, such as dawn," he said.

Tsang also suggested the government should issue such license to the non-immediate relatives of current license-holders so as to sustain the trade.

Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions legislator Wong Kwok-hing will table a motion at the Legislative Council meeting today, urging the government to develop diversified hawker and bazaar economic activities. Civic Party legislator Audrey Eu will table an amendment, asking the government to resume licensing for hawkers.

Tsang urged the government to set up a special committee responsible for communication with the hawkers, and regularly review hawkers policies based on social and economic factors.

Meanwhile, licensed hawkers in crowded districts are unanimous in their opposition to the proposed scheme.

Chan Lai-shan, a 57 year-old hawker in the Women's Street in Mong Kok, pointed out there is no room for newcomers to the market, as most hawkers are expanding their stalls beyond the limit designated by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD).

"It's supposed to be 3 feet by 4 feet, but many of us have invaded the pedestrian walkways," Chan explained. "There isn't even the physical space for new stalls, let alone business opportunities. It'd be a nightmare if more hawkers move into our market."

Ellen Chow, 34-year-old owner of a gift shop along the pedestrian walkway on the Women's Street, agreed that any new addition would intensify the already fierce competition in the market and overcrowd the area.

"Many of my fellow shop owners are getting minimal businesses because there's no room for people to walk on the pavements," Chow said. "If the government reissues hawkers licenses, they should only be given out to those who operate in remote areas, like Tin Shui Wai."

Hawkers along Jardine's Crescent in Causeway Bay share the same opinions as their Mong Kok counterparts. Wong Siu-lung, a long-time hawker in Jardine's Crescent and other locations, said that business is generally difficult for local hawkers.

"The market is mostly saturated in busy districts in Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, where many hawkers have to move from one spot to another," Wong said. "There may be a higher demand for hawkers in less developed districts in Hong Kong," Wong added.

(HK Edition 11/14/2007 page6)