Reduction in Hawker Stall Rent for Hawkers who Fall Ill
Ministry of Sustainability and the EnvironmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns whether the Ministry for the Environment and Water Resources would consider rental reductions for NEA hawker stallholders medically certified as unfit to work. MP Dennis Tan Lip Fong proposed these concessions for hawkers treated at polyclinics or Government hospitals to provide financial relief during illness. Senior Minister of State Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan responded that while rent is generally mandatory, the Ministry reviews requests case-by-case and can grant waivers in exceptional, compassionate circumstances. Options such as appointing a substitute operator are available, but those chronically unfit should assess their long-term suitability for the hawker trade. Senior Minister of State Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan suggested such individuals consider transferring their stalls to relatives or seeking alternative employment.
Transcript
4 Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources whether the Ministry can consider giving a reduction in rent, up to an annual limit, for NEA hawker stallholders who are unable to work due to sickness and are certified medically unfit to work by a doctor from a polyclinic or Government hospital.
The Senior Minister of State for the Environment and Water Resources (Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan) (for the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources): All stallholders in NEA-managed hawker centres are required to pay rent throughout their tenancy. Nonetheless, my Ministry will consider requests from hawkers who are genuinely unable to carry on their business temporarily and explore options to assist them on a case-by-case basis. For example, a stallholder who is ill may appoint a person to operate the stall on his or her behalf for the period he or she is ill.
That said, when no other options are available, we do, from time to time, grant concessions where the circumstances are exceptional and worthy of compassion. For example, we have waived rent payments in a case where the stallholder was temporarily unable to operate his stall after he sustained serious injuries and had to undergo extensive medical treatment for a few months.
Ultimately, stallholders need to assess their own health and determine whether they are able or suited to work in the hawker trade. Those who are often medically unfit to work in the hawker trade may wish to transfer their stalls to their relatives and consider other employment options.