The government launched the sixth round of the Anti-epidemic Fund and applied to the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council for a grant of 27 billion yuan. For the first time, a temporary unemployment allowance will be introduced. Those with a monthly salary of less than 30,000 yuan and who have been unemployed for at least a month will receive a one-time payment of 10,000 yuan. Yuan allowance.
In a document submitted to the Legislative Council this morning (14th), the government stated that the 48 measures introduced by the fund this time mainly support four categories of people, including providing assistance to industries that need to close down or operate significantly restricted by tightened social distancing measures; Provide assistance to industries hard-hit by the epidemic and indirectly affected by tightened social distancing measures, including tourism, hotels, etc., support for employees in hard-hit industries, front-line staff who have contributed to the fight against the epidemic, and short-term unemployment.
▼The sixth round of anti-epidemic funds is to see the details of various industries ▼
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Restaurants can receive a one-off subsidy of up to 500,000 yuan
The government document states that the goal is to start accepting applications for temporary unemployment support in March, with a three-week application period, and the first batch of successful applicants is expected to be disbursed within April.
The relief measures for the sixth round of funds include the following four categories:
(1) Provide assistance to industries that are required to close down or whose operations are significantly restricted by tightened social distancing measures, including premises under Chapter 599F that are subject to closure or limited operations, such as catering premises, beauty parlors, massage parlors, fitness centres and cinemas, etc. , the funding amount is double that of the fifth round of funds launched on January 14.
Taking catering premises as an example, eligible licensees can receive a one-off subsidy ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 depending on the area of the premises they operate.
In addition, the sixth round of funds also covers hair salons and barber shops that have to close since February 10;
(2) Provide assistance to industries hit hard by the epidemic and indirectly affected by tightened social distancing measures, including tourism, hotels, guesthouses, passenger transport, laundry, dishwashing, employment agencies, and local fish and farm producers.
The beneficiaries of such support measures generally fall into three categories. The first is businesses that provide subsidies on the basis of their business premises, such as hotels, guesthouses, laundries, and dishwashing workshops.
The second is the operators and practitioners of the local and cross-boundary passenger transport industry, which includes every franchised bus, local ferry, tram, taxi, red light bus, green light bus, non-franchised bus, school private light bus, hire car, Cross-boundary coaches and cross-boundary taxis are entitled to a one-off non-reimbursable allowance of $30,000, while each kaito is entitled to a subsidy of $20,000.
Third, tenants of some designated projects including Yuanchuang Square, Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre and Art Space, Hong Kong Science Park, Innovation Park and Cyberport will receive a 75% rent reduction for 6 months;
Frontline cleaning and security guards receive a monthly allowance of 2,000 yuan
(3) Provide support to practitioners in hard-hit industries and frontline personnel who have been contributing to the fight against the epidemic.
Eligible self-employed persons and freelancers in the arts, culture and creative industries can receive a one-off subsidy of $10,000 in this round of the Fund.
This round of funds will also support tour guides, tour leaders, cultural, recreational and sports instructors and cross-boundary truck drivers.
In addition, the Government will provide a monthly allowance of $2,000 for each front-line cleaning and security staff working in government contract contractors, private and industrial and commercial properties, selected groups of front-line staff working at airports and staff of residential care homes for the elderly and persons with disabilities , for a period of 5 months;
(4) Provide support to the short-term/temporary unemployed, including two measures.
First, temporary unemployment support was introduced for the first time, to low- and middle-income full-time or part-time workers who have been temporarily unemployed since the fifth wave of the epidemic and have been unemployed for at least one month at the time of application (the monthly salary before unemployment does not exceed 30,000 yuan). Provide a uniform one-time 10,000 yuan temporary unemployment support.
Eligible self-employed persons will also be considered.
The application arrangement is based on the principle of simplicity and early disbursement of assistance. There will also be safeguards to guard against abuse. Eligible persons must not receive Comprehensive Social Security Assistance and/or benefit from other measures under the Sixth Round of Funds.
Second, a new round of "Job Creation Programme" was launched to create an additional 30 000 time-limited jobs in the public and private sectors to assist the unemployed to re-employ.
Li Jiachao.
(Photo by Liao Yanxiong)
Applications accepted within one month of funding for most measures
The Government expects that this round of funds can provide support to about 67,000 merchants and 750,000 people. After the Finance Committee approves the injection of capital into the fund, the policy bureaux and departments responsible for implementation will finalize the details of the measures as soon as possible and implement them.
Most measures are open for applications within one month of the Finance Committee's approval of the injection into the Fund.
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Lee Ka-chiu, said that the Government fully understands the impact of the epidemic and tightened social distancing measures on all sectors of society, especially the grassroots. Therefore, a new round of funds has been launched quickly. Various support measures will help to retain jobs and boost the economy of Hong Kong. Staying power.
He pointed out that this round of funds is more focused on providing support to individuals, including the initial introduction of temporary unemployment support. "More than 60 percent of the estimated expenditures for various measures are provided to individuals." He hoped that the funds would be funded as soon as possible. supported and approved by the Committee.
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