Applicants for Sale of Tissue Packs under Street Hawking Scheme

Mr Leon Perera asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (a) in each year from 2011 to 2016, how many applications have been received from Singaporeans to sell tissue packs under the Street Hawking Scheme; (b) how many of these applications have been successful; and (c) what are the main reasons for rejecting the applications.

The original intent of the Street Hawking Scheme is to help needy Singaporeans and Permanent Residents tide over their financial difficulties. Under this scheme, licensed street hawkers are allowed to sell only certain goods, including newspapers, ice-cream, canned drinks, costume jewellery and phone cards, at specific, fixed locations in public spaces. These specific, fixed locations are designated by the Town Council or relevant land agency in order to minimise the disamenities to residents as well as unfair competition to the businesses and other stakeholders in the vicinity.

Since 2011, we have received about 200 applications from Singaporeans to sell tissue paper under the Street Hawking Scheme. Of these, 24 were successful. The others were rejected mostly because the applicants had failed to show that they had financial difficulties or they wanted to operate at multiple locations which is not allowed under the Street Hawking Scheme.

Street hawking is not a permanent solution for someone trying to make a living. Those experiencing financial hardship can and are being assisted by the Government through the various help and job placement schemes as well as training programmes for those who wish to pick up new skills and seek more stable forms of employment.