Q Is the anti-hawking crackdown against maids justified?
I don't condone the illegal selling of wares, but the reasons maids want to sell these items does raise a few points worth considering.
Firstly, there seem to be no flea markets in Hong Kong where people can sell second-hand items and food. These markets add vibrancy to cities around the world.
If cleanliness is the reason stated by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department for the raids, then setting up flea markets could easily control this. The markets would also reduce the pressure on landfills because there would be more ways to get rid of unwanted second-hand goods.
Secondly, I would like to support Eni Lestari's comment that many domestic helpers in Hong Kong do not get paid the minimum salary. The majority of people in this town know that Indonesian helpers are cheaper than Filipino helpers. Why else was there a sudden surge of Indonesians coming to Hong Kong in 1999-2000? I am confident that if police officers are sent to Victoria Park to survey how many domestic helpers are being paid less than the minimum salary, they would be able to arrest many more people - the Hong Kong residents ripping innocent people off - than the 11 picked up for hawking.
I ask you, which crime is worse?