The voluntary surrender scheme for itinerant hawker licences will be extended by one year to December 31, 2008, the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department says. The scheme was introduced in 2002, valid for five years.

The decision was made taking into account some hawker associations' request to extend the scheme's validity and a review on hawker licensing policy is being conducted which may have implications for itinerant hawker licence operations.

Under the scheme, a holder who voluntarily surrenders their licence can select a vacant fixed pitch and be regarded as a fixed-pitch licensed hawker; or to select a vacant stall in public markets and enjoy certain concessionary rental arrangements; or, receive a $30,000 ex-gratia payment.

The department said today a licence holder wishing to continue business after the scheme's expiry will still be issued with the licences - but they will have forfeited the opportunity to take up the above options when they eventually surrender their licences.

As at October 31, a total of 339 holders had voluntarily surrendered their licences, with 287 opting for ex-gratia payment, 37 selecting vacant fixed pitches and 15 choosing vacant stalls. There remain 630 itinerant hawker licence holders.