Hawker centres to support the less privileged and the marginalised: panel-Yahoo! Singapore(News)

Future hawker centres will be more vibrant if recommendations by a public panel are to be adopted. (Yahoo! pho …

A series of recommendations were put forth by a public consultation panel on Monday in a bid to improve the management and "vibrancy" of hawker centres, according to The Straits Times (ST).

Amongst the list of changes proposed, according to the broadsheet, includes a possible handover of hawker centres from the government to non-profit organisations (NGO). Consequently, a possible partnership with social organisations may be struck to employ marginalised groups such as the disabled and ex-convicts to work as dishwashers.

This move was welcomed by Singaporeans such as Debbie Lim who felt that this was a good opportunity for less privileged people, particularly ex-convicts who are commonly marginalised in society, in finding a job.

Elizabeth Leong, a marketing executive, also supported this socially conscious move. She said, "I think it is a brilliant idea and it should be implemented as soon as possible. It would be a good chance for the disabled and ex-convicts to prove [themselves] to others."

In line with promoting social graciousness, the panel also suggested that patrons should be encouraged to clear their trays away after finishing their meals.

However, 24-year-old Cheryl L was concerned that this initiative may have problems taking flight as Singaporeans are already used to the concept of having cleaners around in hawker centres but added that if its surroundings are already clean, patrons may feel pressurized to "maintain the cleanliness".

A 'green' hawker centre
In an effort to make hawker centres more environmentally friendly, "green" features such as composting stations, energy-efficient light bulbs and solar panels will be incorporated into the designs of new hawker centres, reported ST.

Energy and water efficient practices and features will also be put into use, along with the promotion of recycling facilities in the hawker centre, according to Channel NewsAsia (CNA).

CNA added that patrons will also be encouraged to bring their own meal containers to enjoy food rebates for takeaways.

Arif Bamadhaj, a business student, noted that this move may benefit the lower-income and the environmentally-friendly groups the most although Lim questioned the viability of this idea amongst office workers who may be unwilling to bring their own containers because of the "hassle".

Hawkers' reactions
Meanwhile, a call by the panel for hawkers to offer "value meals" -- meals which are cheaper than those sold at nearby eateries -- received hesitant responses by hawkers whom Yahoo! Singaporeapproached.

An owner of a snacks stall, who declined to be named, said that prices of some food such as snacks cannot go any lower whereas the owner of Rong Xing Cooked Food in Tanjong Pagar Market said, "It can be done, but whether the quality [of the food] still remains is another issue. The food can be cheap, but the rent and utilities must be cheaper."

Both owners were also not supportive of the panel's proposal to implement joint-tenancy -- where one tenant operates the stall during the day and another during the night-- as they cited business considerations such as insufficient space to store their ingredients.

Other recommendations suggested by the panel include setting space aside for community activities,  disallowing full-day subletting to prevent profiteering by stall owners and considering central bulk purchases for the entire hawker centre, according to ST.

A final recommendation will be submitted to the government at the end of next month and the public can send in their suggestions to myhawkercentre@gmail.com

-- Additional reporting by Clarence Chen

*back into the abyss of death*