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Written by: Chen Kangqi
2020-02-25 20:31
Last updated: 2020-02-25 20:32The "Budget" will be released tomorrow (February 26). Due to the dual impact of the anti-revision storm and the new coronavirus pneumonia epidemic, many wage earners are facing embarrassment such as unemployment and insufficient work. They are looking forward to the SAR government's "send money" to Anxious. Socio-economic downturns have led to the loss of livelihoods at the grass-roots level. Many of them have been affected by the economic "fire" caused by social conflicts since last year. This has made Hong Kong people who support extreme protests have to reflect. When everyone does not hesitate to take the "five big demands", can they turn a blind eye to the grassroots sufferings that were the first to be "taken speculation"?
The Lennon Wall, which is covered with colorful post-it notes, is one of the important signs of the "Yellow Shop". Many "Yellow Silks" will come to the scene to support and write a voice of resistance. (Profile picture / Photo by Ou Jiale)
"The generosity of the grassroots"-why do citizens have conflicting views on "seeking speculation"?
Hongtai Zheng, research director of the Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies at the Chinese University of China, and Guo Hua, associate researcher, today (February 25) published an article in Ming Pao that "the people who have been hit hardest by the" fire "are still the grassroots." Poll data from local consumer markets suggest three interesting "contradictions." First of all, 70% of the citizens surveyed think that social conflicts have a negative impact on local consumption intentions, but 55% feel that their consumption behavior has not changed. Secondly, 70% of adults are worried that worsening market conditions will increase unemployment, but 60% of them are not worried about families. Earnings will be affected; in the end, 75% of people disapprove of violent demonstrations against stores, but nearly five adults think that although they do not agree, it is understandable. Regarding these three "contradictions", they used the economic data that has been falling repeatedly in recent months to analyze them. They believe that as long as they are not engaged in the more impacted retail, accommodation and catering services, the income impact is actually limited, and they conclude that "Since most individuals Have not suffered any substantial damage to their interests, so why not be a "political bystander" and tolerate and understand some of the behaviors targeted at merchants with a political standpoint? "
In fact, since the anti-revision storm in June last year, many demonstrators believe that it is possible to burn the jade and jade of power with the “swim speculation”, but in the economic downturn, it is not the common people who bear the brunt, but the lower classes of society. Coupled with the double blow of the pneumonia epidemic in recent months, they are even more vulnerable. The Hong Kong Community Organizations Association (hereinafter referred to as the "Society Association") conducted a questionnaire survey on grass-roots epidemic prevention difficulties in the middle of this month, and the results showed that about half of the respondents (50.6%) said that they were under-employed due to the impact of the epidemic and their incomes declined; A proportion of respondents (43.8%) said that families faced financial difficulties and were unable to pay rent and meals. Although the investigation did not cover the impact of anti-revision storms on grassroots livelihoods, Shi Lishan, director of the Social Association, pointed out that the situation of grass-roots people ’s income had fallen sharply at the end of last year. Due to frequent social conflicts and tear gas bombs at the end of last year, the turnover of service industries such as hotels and restaurants has declined, and grassroots employees such as security guards, cleaners, and waiters have faced the dilemma of insufficient work.
At the end of last year, there were frequent social conflicts and tear gas bombs everywhere. (Profile picture)
What should the grass-roots government do for the scapegoat to reflect on "grabbing"
Regarding the fierce actions that have been undermined by shops due to political stances, Shi Lishan believes that citizens have the right to express their opinions, but at the same time, they should consider that radical actions will affect grassroots livelihoods. After all, the retail and catering industries are "stopping their mouths." For example, she pointed out that there are grassroots people who work as chefs in Maxim's restaurants, which are the pillars of the family economy, but were forced to stop work because the stores were "decorated" and unable to open business. Difficulty in business and loss of job. Shi Lishan added that "the clerk's political opinions may be different from the boss"-no matter what the clerk's political opinions are, or not, "innocent", it is clear that grass-roots workers have become the "scapegoats" of the anti-revision storm. According to the results of the above-mentioned CUHK polls, citizens are not blindly supporting actions such as sabotaging shops—they do not agree but choose "consideration", but it is most likely because the consequences of "seeking speculation" are not relevant. However, when grassroots workers are unemployed and under-employed, which leads to an increase in their lives, citizens should reflect on whether they can still view social events with a "generous grassroots" mentality.
On the other hand, the impact of weak market conditions on grassroots workers has not stopped. Under the epidemic, the government announced that it would provide a one-time living allowance of an average of 5,000 yuan to low-income families. The beneficiary households must have applied for a working family allowance (referred to as "Tianjin") or student assistance. However, as mentioned above, due to the impact of anti-revision legislation, many grass-roots workers have faced unemployment or underemployment since last year. Zero income and lack of proof of working hours have prevented them from applying for occupational benefits. Eligible for the "5,000 RMB Living Allowance". In addition, even if low-income families are applying for employment, under the storm of anti-revision, many aided families are facing unemployment or underemployment, resulting in low payment, even with the highest monthly allowance in the past six months. Calculating the new allowance, they were also paid a relatively low amount.
Affected by the pneumonia epidemic in Wuhan, the flow of people on the market has greatly decreased. (Profile picture / Photo by Lu Yiming)
Whether it is an anti-revision storm or a lung and lung epidemic, grass-roots livelihoods have been hit hard. The government should rectify fiscal measures and think about how to rescue the people. The ADPL went to the CPPCC a few days ago to petition the government to set up unemployment assistance as soon as possible to support citizens who have lost their jobs due to the epidemic. It is a feasible solution. The authorities may also consider referring to the SARS practice to open temporary anti-epidemic positions, including short-term mask manufacturing employees, building cleaners, temporary community care attendants, etc., which not only can provide anti-epidemic support to the disadvantaged, but can also create employment opportunities. Benefit unemployed or underemployed grassroots workers. In addition, although the government passed the 30 billion yuan epidemic prevention and anti-epidemic fund, the fund only provided subsidies to business owners, and grassroots workers did not benefit directly. He Qiming, deputy chairman of the ADPL, described that under the weak consumer market, companies "are all speculators, and the old (loss) is not in the flesh." After the funding is received, the boss of the company may not necessarily share it with employees. The government It is good to take this opportunity to reflect on the future welfare policy direction, and take individuals as the beneficiary unit. In addition, the current epidemic situation is severe and many enterprises are unable to survive. Shopping malls and tenants should cope with the difficulties and consider measures such as rent reduction. The general public should also consider how to share resources with the grassroots and help each other during the anti-epidemic period-no matter what difficulties the society faces, Weaknesses at the grass-roots level should not be sacrificed or taken lightly.
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