Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced yesterday (11th) the launch of the Anti-epidemic Fund 5.0, which will subsidize premises that have been closed due to the impact of the new wave of the epidemic, as well as industries that have been indirectly affected or have been in a difficult state.
When she responded to a member's question at the Legislative Council today (12th), she was asked about the form of subsidy distribution. Among them, Lu Chung-hsiung of the Federation of Trade Unions questioned that the fund was only to help employers, "saving the market but not people", and asked for direct subsidy to employees.
Lam reiterated that the government has explained the reasons why it cannot do so, and can only hope that employers can "preserve the precious resources of employees".
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Carrie Lam, accused of "funding" Cathay Pacific, denies: the money is to be repaid
Lu Songxiong criticized that the two employees of Cathay Pacific Airways violated the rules and caused all the people in Hong Kong to suffer. The government's current anti-epidemic fund is really "repairing a sheep after a dead sheep". With Fund 4.0 as the blueprint for a new round, the public will be disappointed.
Because if the fund 4.0 standard is used, the fund 5.0 will only "save the market but not the people, and the wage earners will feel it is unfair".
He also pointed out that Cathay Pacific has received nearly 30 billion yuan in government subsidies, but front-line employees "have not received a single mosquito." Ask the government whether it will optimize the arrangement.
Lam Cheng said that he understands the relevant demands of the workers representing the workers, but the Anti-epidemic Fund has been debated a lot in the past, the government has explained many times why it does this (not directly disbursing it to employees), the fund has also worked, and the unemployment rate is currently It has been reduced to 4.1%, stressing that it will assist the operators of the closed premises as soon as possible, "I hope they, as employers, can preserve the precious resources of their employees." She also clarified that the government did not "subsidize" Cathay Pacific, but only invested in Cathay Pacific. , "The money needs to be paid back!"
Lu Songxiong asked that there have been long queues for injections and testing recently, and urged the government to explain how to enhance testing capabilities.
Carrie Lam said that the government has recently increased the number of mobile stations and extended the operation of the vaccination center, emphasizing that Tuen Mun is only a special case, because "time is in a hurry" and "it is necessary to compete at the same time", she hopes for the public's understanding, emphasizing that the authorities and contractors have made the greatest efforts. Work hard, "I hope the citizens will cooperate. I'm sorry this time. The time is a bit long, but everyone can feel at ease after the test."
Acknowledging that the tourism industry has not recovered yet and does not plan to set up a "Resumption Fund"
Yao Pak-leung, a member of the tourism industry, said that he thanked the government for launching a new round of anti-epidemic funds, describing that the tourism industry really needs "timely rain".
He pointed out that the government has tightened social distancing measures again, which has made the industry "zero" again. The industry has zero income and zero tourists. He also pointed out that under the epidemic, the tourism industry has been hit the hardest and has the slowest recovery. He asked whether the government would pass the empty window of the epidemic. During the period, the restructuring of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau will be accelerated to prepare for the recovery of the industry.
Lam Cheng said that he fully understood the impact of the tourism industry, and described the industry as "actually not recovering". Travel agencies have been in a freezing period. He emphasized that he would "do everything possible to help the tourism industry." The plan, which will be announced later, emphasizes that the government will not miss the window period to support the tourism industry, including discussing with the Mainland Ministry of Culture and Tourism in person earlier to prepare for the recovery of the tourism industry.
Lam also pointed out that the government is studying to give tourism a new perspective through cultural, sports events and infrastructure.
When asked by Yao Boliang, he said that the tourism industry has been attacked by the anti-amendment incident and the epidemic. For relevant ideas, Yao Xu communicated with the Bureau of Commerce and Economics.
Lam did not comment on whether he would instruct the Financial Secretary to distribute consumer coupons again this year.
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Unanswered whether the "interest repayment but not principal" will be extended
Chen Zhenying from the financial sector asked that the customs clearance between Hong Kong and the mainland was in sight earlier, but the new wave of the epidemic has caused great losses in many industries. Whether the "interest repayment without repayment" of enterprises will be extended, and whether the repayment ratio under the exit mechanism can be reduced.
Lam said he could not respond on the spot, but he would ask the Financial Secretary to consider it.
Chen Zhenying asked how to improve the overall business environment; to reduce pressure on SMEs, the government distributed electronic consumer coupons last year, and this year will consider instructing the Financial Secretary to distribute them again.
Carrie Lam's response was: "It is right now that the Financial Secretary is consulting various sectors, including members of this Council. Regarding the upcoming Budget, I believe that the Financial Secretary has completed the consultation and has a comprehensive view, and will work with him. I'll discuss." The answer only took 15 seconds.
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