01 view
Written by: Commentary Editing Room
2021-05-07 18:15
Last update date: 2021-05-07 18:15
The unemployment situation at the grassroots level in Hong Kong is serious, and the accident of market stalls has become one of the grassroots way out.
On Thursday (6th), the Support Grass Market Alliance held a press conference, stating that they had applied to hold market markets in Tsuen Wan, Yuen Long, North District and other places in the past few months, hoping to provide short-term employment for grassroots citizens when the unemployment rate is high. Opportunities, but government departments have become obstacles.
The organization pointed out that during the application and holding process, some bazaars had been blocked by various departments such as the land administration, food and environmental protection departments for different epidemic prevention reasons, so they felt at a loss.
Moreover, the government departments' epidemic prevention requirements for the market are even more stringent than those of general shopping malls and restaurants, and even the implementation standards of different districts are different. In the end, some markets were forced to cancel because the indicators were too difficult to achieve.
On the one hand, government resources are wasted in vain. On the other hand, it also stifles the livelihood opportunities of grassroots citizens.
The organization pointed out that during the application and holding process, some bazaars had been blocked by various departments such as the land administration, food and environmental protection departments for different epidemic prevention reasons, and the bazaars were at a loss as to what to do.
(Photo by Deng Yongzhong/Photo of Profile)
Pay attention to epidemic prevention but also cooperate with citizens
Recently, as the mutant virus has entered the community, it is not wrong for the department to step up epidemic prevention, but the government should have a uniform standard for epidemic prevention. The department's epidemic prevention requirements for the market are far higher than other similar places, which in itself is difficult to convince the public.
Some local organizations stated that the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department required all market volunteers and stall owners to be tested, while some organizations were refused approval by the Lands Office on the grounds that market activities would cause crowds and violate 599G, and even some cases were organized by the market. Only on that day was the government department asked to reduce the number of stall owners and participants, making the organizers at a loss what to do.
From the reality of society, shopping malls and markets are obviously places for people to shop and hang out, but their opening conditions are much looser than those of market markets. For some reason, the authorities regard market markets with similar environments as being particularly prone to spreading the virus.
Government departments should treat all the people equally and actively cooperate with the needs of the public, and propose to the groups organizing the bazaar the epidemic prevention conditions similar to those in other shopping malls and markets, instead of using stringent conditions to scare away the civilians who organize the bazaar to assist the grassroots in relief.
From the reality of society, shopping malls and markets are obviously places for people to shop and hang out, but their opening conditions are much looser than those of market markets. For some reason, the authorities regard market markets with similar environments as being particularly prone to spreading the virus.
(Data Picture / Photo by Yu Ruijing)
Make good use of government land to assist the economy
Although the unemployment rate in Hong Kong has dropped slightly to 6.8%, there are still about 260,000 unemployed in Hong Kong. The service and retail industries are still far away from a full recovery.
The government is unable to provide unemployment assistance to the citizens, and unemployment loans can only temporarily relieve the urgent need. At present, there are community groups willing to organize bazaars in various districts so that citizens can apply to become stall owners to make a living on their own. This is undoubtedly a good thing.
If the government really wants to speed up the overall economic recovery of the society, it is logically more appropriate to cooperate with these groups in a positive manner, and even take the initiative to open up venues to attract public participation.
Moreover, many government land has been left vacant. The fact that the entire market in Causeway Bay was left empty by the government for ten years has been criticized.
The government should make good use of social resources and open up these unused land for public use. The spontaneous private market is a purpose worthy of consideration.
Reluctantly, various departments have created obstacles that are not convenient for the public to use in market applications and related anti-epidemic measures.
As the Secretary for Food and Health Chen Zhaoshi said, the economy and epidemic prevention must also be relaxed. Markets could have helped the grassroots income. However, many government departments have refuted the market, which may stimulate the community’s economy. This is undoubtedly a violation. This policy.
New Crown Pneumonia Market 01 Viewpoint