NATIONAL Environment Agency (NEA) hawker centres have been in the limelight recently, in particular Newton Food Centre. Touting is still the order of the day at Newton.

I patronise Newton often and have observed touts congregate at the large open refreshment area and compete with one another for customers. A discreet check with the stallholders showed that usually about eight to nine stall assistants work for each seafood stall. Stalls that follow NEA guidelines with four or five assistants find it difficult to do business as they cannot compete with those with more assistants.

Furthermore, NEA is partly responsible for the touting as it has created a large open refreshment area where stall assistants make their rounds looking for customers. Previously before upgrading, the open refreshment area was in various sites according to stalls' locations. But now the huge open refreshment area has become an arena of competition. This has degenerated into aggressive business tactics among stallholders.

It is recommended that stalls not be allowed to engage more than five assistants, whether full or part time. Where a stall assistant has a day off, the stall must still manage only with assistants registered with NEA. Presently, I understand hawker stalls at Newton are allowed to register as many as eight to nine assistants, which means they can have their assistants work throughout the week without a day off.

Second, the open refreshment area should be out of bounds to all hawkers, unless they are taking orders or serving food.

Third, all hawkers should wear a special T-shirt with their stall name and number to show they are Newton hawkers. This will surely weed out touts and freelancers.

If these rules are followed strictly, we will see a well organised Newton Food Centre that lives up to our good reputation as a clean and green country.

M. Supramaniam (Mrs)

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