CONFIDENTIAL #
6
Occupational benefits
2.3
In addition to cash payments which are the direct
responsibility of the Government, employers provide a range of
occupational benefits including those under statutory stimulus.
These include sickness allowance, severance payments, paid holidays
and workmen's compensation for injuries or death arising from
employment.
Some employers also provide retirement benefits, help
with medical and educational expenses and paid maternity leave,
although these additional benefits probably cover only a small
In some cases, indirect percentage of the total workforce.
financial aid may also be available, such as medical facilities,
free or subsidised meals, transport and accommodation or housing
loans on concessionary terms. There are tax concessions to
encourage the development of retirement benefit schemes.
Social Welfare services
2.4
Direct social welfare services to various client groups
have a much longer history in Hong Kong than cash payments. Both
the Government and the voluntary sector are involved in providing
these services; in some areas, such as family counselling, these
are on a complementary basis; in others such as services for the
elderly, the voluntary agencies have played a key role, usually
with financial assistance from the Government, whilst in services
such as probation and corrections, the Government has a statutory
responsibility to be the major provider.
CONFIDENTIAL
機密
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