Update on Assistance Provided to Sungei Road Hawking Zone Users
Ministry of Sustainability and the EnvironmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the assistance provided to former Sungei Road Hawking Zone users, as Mr Kok Heng Leun requested an update on those who had not initially accepted government help. Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli B M M reported that out of 200 engaged users, 100 have received assistance, including 40 who took up hawker stalls and 60 who received flea market referrals or financial and employment support. Approximately 100 users declined assistance because they have other means of support, such as family or existing jobs. Relevant agencies like the National Environment Agency and Ministry of Social and Family Development continue to offer various social and employment services to the former users. The Minister emphasized that the government remains ready to render assistance to any former users who come forward for support.
Transcript
27 Mr Kok Heng Leun asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources whether he will provide an update on (i) the types of assistance provided to Sungei Road Hawking Zone (SRHZ) users since September 2017 and (ii) the status of the 120 or so SRHZ users who had not taken up the Ministry's offers for relocation, job placement or financial assistance.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: The Sungei Road Hawking Zone (SRHZ) was closed on 10 July 2017. Ahead of its closure, various agencies, including the National Environment Agency (NEA), Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), Workforce Singapore (WSG), and Central Singapore Community Development Council (CDC) provided SRHZ users with financial, employment and social support. These included the provision of lock-up stalls at hawker centres managed by NEA, referrals to other flea markets, financial assistance, and job placement.
In September last year, we updated that the Government had engaged about 200 SRHZ users. Close to 80 received some form of assistance. Since then, the agencies have helped about 20 more former users. Hence, to date, a total of about 100 out of the 200 users have received Government assistance. Around 40 former users have taken up stalls at hawker centres, and about 30 former users have chosen to operate at other flea markets. Another 30 users have received employment and/or financial assistance. Of the 200 users who were engaged, 100 or so users have declined assistance. We understand that they have other means of support, such as employment or family support.
We will continue to engage and render assistance to former SRHZ users who come forward.