The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced on 21 September that nine people—including several foreign domestic helpers—had been arrested over the past fortnight for unlicensed hawking and obstruction at popular Sunday gathering areas in Central, Wan Chai and Kowloon. Officers seized 1.5 tonnes of goods ranging from cooked food to cosmetics. Two of the arrested individuals were found holding recognisance forms that prohibit employment, while another entered Hong Kong on a two-way permit. FEHD has referred suspected breaches of visa conditions to the Immigration Department for follow-up, underscoring the government’s willingness to pursue immigration action in addition to fines of up to HK$10,000 and six-month imprisonment for unlicensed hawking. Why it matters: Hong Kong hosts around 370,000 foreign domestic workers—mainly from the Philippines and Indonesia—who enjoy rest days in public areas. Employers are legally liable for ensuring helpers comply with visa conditions. Mobility teams arranging domestic-help packages for assignees should brief them on these obligations; breaches can jeopardise both the helper’s and employer’s future visa applications. The stepped-up enforcement also hints at closer inter-agency coordination between FEHD, Police and Immigration ahead of the National Day Golden Week, when public-space crowding peaks. Companies planning community-outreach or charity events in those districts should secure proper hawker or food-stall permits to avoid disruption.
Source: HKSAR Government Press Release
