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Call for rethink of shoeshiner's charge
26 June 2009
South China Morning Post
The government should reconsider a charge laid against a female shoeshiner in Central since it is considering granting licences to others plying the same trade there, Civic Party lawmakers say.
In a letter to the secretary for food and health, Audrey Eu Yuet-mee wrote that a female shoeshiner, Ngai Chuen-ying, had received a summons to appear in court on July 15 for obstructing a public road on April 29. The shoeshiners work in the Theatre Lane and Murray Road area.
The summons to Ms Ngai was issued on June 17, Ms Eu wrote. That was the same day that Food and Environmental Hygiene Department officers talked to four of the five embattled shoeshiners over issuing licences. "The charge against Ms Ngai {hellip} is not in line with the government's preparation works over issuing them the licences," the letter said.
Ms Eu demanded that the health chief give the matter his attention and such incidents be avoided.
The Civic Party is helping the five shoeshiners, who are facing eviction for operating without licences and obstructing roads. The government later began negotiating with the shoeshiners and said it would seek opinions from the Central and Western District Council and government departments over whether to issue them licences.
Tanya Chan, another Civic Party lawmaker who is also a Central and Western District Council member, said she hoped the government would consider dismissing the charge against Ms Ngai.
"In the wake of the latest development, it is inappropriate to continue the charge now," Ms Chan said.
Most of the district councillors supported the shoeshiners, she said.
A spokeswoman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department declined to comment on the case, but said it had not taken action against shoeshiners in Central since May.
26 June 2009
South China Morning Post
The government should reconsider a charge laid against a female shoeshiner in Central since it is considering granting licences to others plying the same trade there, Civic Party lawmakers say.
In a letter to the secretary for food and health, Audrey Eu Yuet-mee wrote that a female shoeshiner, Ngai Chuen-ying, had received a summons to appear in court on July 15 for obstructing a public road on April 29. The shoeshiners work in the Theatre Lane and Murray Road area.
The summons to Ms Ngai was issued on June 17, Ms Eu wrote. That was the same day that Food and Environmental Hygiene Department officers talked to four of the five embattled shoeshiners over issuing licences. "The charge against Ms Ngai {hellip} is not in line with the government's preparation works over issuing them the licences," the letter said.
Ms Eu demanded that the health chief give the matter his attention and such incidents be avoided.
The Civic Party is helping the five shoeshiners, who are facing eviction for operating without licences and obstructing roads. The government later began negotiating with the shoeshiners and said it would seek opinions from the Central and Western District Council and government departments over whether to issue them licences.
Tanya Chan, another Civic Party lawmaker who is also a Central and Western District Council member, said she hoped the government would consider dismissing the charge against Ms Ngai.
"In the wake of the latest development, it is inappropriate to continue the charge now," Ms Chan said.
Most of the district councillors supported the shoeshiners, she said.
A spokeswoman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department declined to comment on the case, but said it had not taken action against shoeshiners in Central since May.