THIRTY Sha Tin farmers living on dangerous slopes are refusing to move unless the Government pays them compensation.
The Housing Department plans to clear the Pak Tin Tsuen huts and rehouse the farmers in rental flats in December.
A total of 87 households were told they must move after recent heavy rainstorms caused landslides and floods in the area. Each is being offered a public flat in a district of their choice and a moving allowance of up to $6,700.
But the 30 farmers say the Government should pay for the loss of their livelihood as well.
Farmer Chan Lai-sheung, who has grown vegetables in Pak Tin Tsuen for more than 30 years, said: 'We earn our living by selling our crops. Can the Government tell us what we can do after we move to estates?' 'We shall be forced to retire and we should at least be given some money as pension,' she said.
Ms Chan said they would rather risk their lives than move to public housing estates if there was no compensation.
