A $329 million incentive package of ex-gratia payments, loans, retraining and grants for the live poultry trade has been endorsed by legislators.

The ex-gratia payments are for retailers surrendering licences or tenancies, the loans are for those continuing their operation, and the one-off grants are to help affected workers.

Some $236.4 million will be for one-off ex-gratia payments to live poultry retailers who opt to surrender their licences with endorsement to sell live poultry or public market tenancies.

The ex-gratia payments for outlets up to 15 square metres is set at a flat rate of $200,000, an enhanced rate 60% higher than the normal basis. For those sized between 15 and 25 square metres, the enhanced rate is 10%, whereas outlets over 45 square metres, a ceiling of 55 square metres has been set.

Licence transfer among family members to be limited

The Health, Welfare & Food Bureau said in future the transfer of fresh provision shop licences to immediate family members will be limited to reduce the number of live poultry stalls.

People leasing stalls in public markets who submit an ex-gratia payment application, the one-month advance notice requirement for the market tenancies termination will be waived provided they cease business from the application date. The tenancy termination will take effect within 30 days of the application.

Tailor-made retraining and financial assistance totalling $83 million will be offered to affected workers as a result of their employers ceasing operation under the proposed scheme.

Up to eight weeks of retraining courses will be provided, and workers can receive a special allowance of up to $8,000 if they have attended eight weeks of retraining and have attained at least 80% attendance in each of the courses.

Jobless workers may get one-off grant

For affected workers who continue to remain unemployed after attending the retraining courses, a one-off grant of $10,000 each will help them meet immediate financial needs.

To encourage employers to fulfil their obligations to their employees but without interfering in any employer-employee relationship, the Government proposed to retain 30% of the ex-gratia payment until the employers have discharged their responsibilities towards employees.

Loans will be offered to all existing fresh provision shops selling live poultry who choose to continue with the their trading operations to upgrade their facilities to avoid human contact with live birds.

It is proposed to set the maximum amount of the unsecured loan to $50,000 or 60% of the refurbishment cost, whichever is less, per licence.