New subsidy for poor families urged

(The Standard P.10  2 Sep, 2013) The director general of aid organization Oxfam Hong Kong has called for a new cash subsidy for families who have been living under the poverty line but do not receive welfare assistance.

Stephen Fisher, a former director of social welfare, estimated (估計) about 80,000 families would benefit if the subsidy is introduced. Fisher said he is concerned that these families still earn less than half of the median wage, no matter how hard they work.

 

Over the past 10 years, the salary of the highest 10 percent income group kept increasing, but the salary of the lowest 10 percent remained the same.

"This shows Hong Kong has serious income inequality (不均等) and a poverty gap because only the wealthy enjoy the economic benefits," he told Commercial Radio.

Fisher said that while the government wants a policy of poverty relief, it lacks determination.

"Many times when it encounters (遇到) some strong opposite views, it hesitates," Fisher said.

 

Many people who live under the poverty line do not rely (依靠) on Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (綜援).

 

"These are the people who need assistance most," he said. They cannot make ends meet even if they have jobs because they have more children on whom their daily expenses go.

 

Fisher said the government should consider giving HK$800 a month each for the first and second child, HK$600 for the third and fourth and HK$400 for the fifth, and onwards.

 

"This is to put their income slightly (稍微地) above the poverty line, or near the poverty line, but not higher than CSSA. Otherwise they'll be discouraged from working," he said.

Hilary Wong