The Pulse：Scrapping of the Mong Kok Pedestrian Zone, difficulties stay-at-home mothers face in HK

Hong Kong’s busking scene is growing. But not all busking is music to the ears, especially in packed places like the Mong Kok pedestrian zone. On Thursday the Yau Tsim Mong District Council put a vote to end the car-free zone. With us in the studio are Clarisse Yeung, Wan Chai district councillor and member of the Hong Kong Culture Monitor and Carine Lai Senior Researcher of Civic Exchange to talk about this issue.
It’s not an easy job being a mother, some have to combine parenting with paid employment others look after children full time. There’s little chance to clock off, at least not until the kids become more independent. For some, motherhood can be a lifetime career, and one without pensions or safeguards for old age. According to a recent United States’ study the work of a mother and home-maker is the equivalent of two and a half full-time jobs, with a 14-hour working day seven days in a week.
On Sunday, despite strong objections from conservation groups, tree specialists and lawmakers, the government cut down two 80-year-old “stone wall” banyan trees on Bonham Road. The Lands Department’s report said that the trees had cavities, signs of decay and fungal infection and were in immediate risk of collapsing. But the proof, in this case, was in the cutting. Tree experts found that the two trees were in fact in good shape and could have been saved by strengthening the wall. If we’re also not cut down we’ll see you next week. Goodbye.