1623 caught last year was twice that of 2006. This offenders range from selling food to everything from kitchen utensils to speakers from vans and youth husting fake DVDs. Its illegal to hawk any kind of goods in public places without a licence from NEA. It was said that these rise in number could be a side effect of downturn.
Most resort to this method when they could not obtain a licence. only 1 out of 5 got a licence.
Penalty for illegal hawking is fine up to $1k for first time offenders. second conviction can bring up to $4k or jail time to 3 mths, or both.
Illegal hawkers are the result of the financial problem. Everybody needs to eat and survive. If the worker's pay are cut and they need to do moon-lighting such as illegal hawker to supplement thier income.
ReplyDeletePlease do not jail these hawkers.
They are forced by circumtances beyond thier control. It is better to be a hawker rather than commit crimes to make ends meet.