A few days ago announced the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, the survey results in the second half of last year, "Tang room" households conducted, found that many respondents were in line with recipients of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance or family allowance job qualifications, but no applications for more than half of them assistance.
They have some people mistakenly think that they are not eligible, some people are completely not heard these social security schemes, and even some who are not only worried about being outside the label to apply for these benefits.
Social Alliance considers this survey reflect the local grassroots social welfare policies lack of adequate knowledge, and suggested that the Administration should improve the transparency of related information and communication channels, providing a simple-to-use online screening tool for all types of assistance programs in the long run more to study the establishment of a variety of applications allow synchronization service, "one-stop" mechanism welfare, as well as to official estimates as the basis for policy review each case to receive welfare assistance programs.
HKCSS found in a qualified tenant in Tong, respectively, 50.6 and 52.7% did not apply for CSSA and post-chun.
(Social Union provided)
Aid policy must be more proactive
However, many of these proposals still standing passively administered aid perspective.
Because of social welfare policy guidelines is undoubtedly so that more people who need help Zhao to benefit.
Since there is a considerable part of society has not been proper security people today, it means that the Administration should adopt a more positive and proactive attitude to lend a helping hand, try to expand the social safety net of welfare policy can really cover range, rather than just a wide variety of settings funded project to wait for people to apply.
For example, last month, in effect, "Tang house" rent control measures executed by the Rating and Valuation Department and the Transport and Housing Bureau has also indicated that it would build "Tang house" rent database.
If the government can break the barriers of different departments, so that they help to gather information, "Tang room 'household income, with social assistance programs and explain their needs, must be able to be doubly effective, reducing the existing" Tang house "tenants benefit from the low rate Case.
The preset undesirable abuse Tiyou
More importantly, the survey reveals this time, "Tang rooms" Most tenants do not receive assistance, the situation is just sufficient to rebut the past always possible abuse of officials as an excuse to refuse the expansion of social welfare.
Even when people most need the protection of none can benefit, those in charge did not prevent abuse should first consider the priorities compared.
Secretary for Labor and Welfare Law Chi-kwong like to talk about downtime allowances may lead to "saboteurs" abuse, but ask how many people are willing to take a few days sick pay and crime risk?
SLW Law Chi-kwong (profile picture)
But unfortunately this kind of thinking really positive impact on the provisions of the existing social security policy.
For example CSSA eligibility of the Social Welfare Department, it has no less than 120 hours per month working for 15-59-year-old able-bodied adult and additional criteria to earn less than 2,395 yuan, or participate in the "self-reliance" Employment Support Program .
This arrangement itself implies the applicant may be reluctant to "self-reliance" assumes, in effect reinforce negative labeling effect for CSSA.
Chief Executive Mrs Lam Tuesday (8th), after the Executive Council, will finally announced the implementation of a one-time $ 10,000 for temporary unemployment assistance, but when answering questions from reporters, the still stressed to avoid the situation can not be abused people's checks and so it takes time to design details.
Regardless of the time required for too long, past many years of experience also tells us that both the social security and economic development or whether, any policy areas such thinking if they are a drag on the execution time, the consequences are often bring more damage.
Hong Kong Secretary for Labor and Welfare Labor and Welfare need to be more actively promoted the cancellation of MPF "hedge" can no longer delay the authority shall hand over Tang house rental library as soon as possible