Press Releases
Government upholds principles of fairness and impartiality in handling relocation of Yen Chow Street Temporary Hawker Bazaar
In response to media enquiries on the protest staged by the
unlicensed operators of Yen Chow Street Temporary Hawker
Bazaar today (October 14), a spokesman for the Food and
Health Bureau (FHB) solemnly stated the following:
"The Government has been upholding the principles of
fairness and impartiality when processing the relocation of
Yen Chow Street Temporary Hawker Bazaar, in a bid to ensure
proper use of public fund and resources as well as protect
long-term public interest.
In dealing with the unlicensed operators in the bazaar, the
Government registered bona fide operators, not their
relatives or assistants. As to the 17 persons concerned,
most of them are only relatives, friends or assistants of
other operators, the relationship of many is spouses,
children or in-laws. Hence, the Government cannot regard
them as operators. Nevertheless, the Food and Environmental
Hygiene Department (FEHD) has stringently studied and
verified the information provided by the 17 persons,
including contacting business operators with whom they
claimed to have business relationship, and confirmed that
there is no credible information or evidence to prove that
they have bona fide operated independently at the bazaar for
a long period. As such, the department cannot treat them
like the other 33 registered unlicensed operators.
The relocation exercise will not affect the current
employment and working relationship of the 17 persons. They
can continue to work as the assistants of their relatives or
concerned vendors after the relevant licensed operators or
registered unlicensed operators have been relocated. If they
want to start their business, they can choose to participate
in the open bidding exercise for a tenancy agreement of
other fabric stalls at Tung Chau Street Temporary Market,
competing with other members of the public who are
interested in joining the fabric trade in an impartial, open
and fair manner.
The FEHD has come up with the conclusion that 17 persons are
not eligible for relocation after spending considerable time
to conduct prudent investigations. If these people are of
the view that they have supplementary information, they
should have submitted the information to the FEHD before the
deadline for verification. In no way should they use other
means to demand the Government to bundle the operators
eligible for relocation together with the ineligible ones
and unjustly arrange relocation for them altogether. This is
an unreasonable demand deemed to be unacceptable to the
general public.
On the rental issue, the Government regards the rental value
of stalls of Tung Chau Street Temporary Market reasonable.
With the factor of customer flow taken into consideration,
the current rental value is set at a level lower than the
bidding prices or current rental value of the stalls
operating similar businesses in the FEHD's public markets in
Kowloon or the New Territories.
Besides, it is not appropriate to make direct comparison
between the relocation of the fabric bazaar and the
establishment of bazaars. On proposals to establish bazaars
in various districts, the Government has all along been
keeping an open mind with positive attitude. The Government
has handled the relocation of fabric bazaar in a just manner
basing on the information provided by the stakeholders. All
arrangements are made according to the principle of
reasonableness. Those who are not qualified for relocation
and their supporters should not ignore the facts and allege
the Government for not having any intention to establish
bazaars simply because they are not offered relocation.
The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, regrets
that some people have made unreasonable criticisms and
allegations. He reiterated that the Government is firm in
handling each and every case in accordance with the law and
would not compromise any right judgement due to pressure.
Neither would it influence the FEHD in performing public
duties in a fair and impartial manner according to the
department’s established procedures because of unreasonable
demands from others. It is also not appropriate for him to
meet those who have put forward such demands.
The FEHD staff will continue to handle the relocation issue
dutifully in a reasonable and orderly manner.
Ends/Friday, October 14, 2016
Issued at HKT 23:30
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