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Accommodation in Hong Kong
11.
To deter refugees from coming to Hong Kong, closed centres were introduced on 2 July 1982 in the face of the continuing high rate of arrivals and diminishing resettlement opportunities. New arrivals are now detained in closed centres (the main one is at Chi Ma Wan) where they are not allowed to find outside work and are subject to discipline and control. Visits are strictly regulated and are limited to relatives and close friends. Meanwhile, the majority of those who arrived before 2 July 1982 are in UNHCR centres. The distribution at 1 April 1983 was :
UNHCR Centres
8,560
Kai Tak Transit Centre (HK Red Cross)
5,699
Jubilee Transit Centre
2,861
(Caritas HK)
Chi Ma Wan Closed Centre
2,962
Other Closed Centres
522
Other Government Controlled Centres
120
Employment
12.
adults in UNHCR centres are permitted to take up temporary employment with which to support themselves and their families. Their average wage has been slightly lower than the average wage of Hong Kong workers as refugees tend to enter the lower end of the job spectrum. Allowing refugees to work has meant that the costs to UNHCR of supporting refugees have been lower than elsewhere in the region. Since April 1981 refugees who arrive after rescue at sea are detained pending resettlement overseas within the prescribed period of 90 days. On 1 April 1983 there were 91 such cases in Hong Kong.
Financial Cost to Hong Kong
13.
Since 1979, the Government has spent 120 million (US$18 m) on establishing and running refugee centres, and on feeding and transporting refugees. This figure would be very much higher if a detailed costing were to take account of the diversion of staff and resources from other purposes, the use of valuable land, and other hidden costs. The major voluntary agencies in Hong Kong have also spent about HK$45 million on providing services to the refugees which has involved over 400 workers in their agencies. Since 1979 the local UNHCR office (which at present enjoys free office space from the Government) has committed HK$126 million (US$ 19 m) on refugees.
/The Future