(a)
their
depressed
are pensions
and they
discriminated against; and
being are being
artificially unfairly
(b)
their past
contributions
to Hong
success
and economic
give growth
Kong's them a
legitimate expectation of special assistance.
those on small pensions, Reports have also been received that those on including widows, have suffered more serious hardship; and some have turned to social security.
5
measures
they
do
in
It is difficult to quantify the extent of the actual hardship being suffered. The expectations of individuals and their personal lifestyles do not follow any fixed pattern and While a both factors have an important bearing on the issue.
for the introduction of currency number of specific
specific request s
received, have been
not, protection themselves, necessarily signify that genuine hardship exists. а small number of retired On the other hand, it appears that officers in the UK may be facing serious financial problems mainly because of the level of their pensions, although the effect of the value of the HK dollar on their pension payment s Their specific problem could further exacerbate the problem.
in others
receipt of small (which is
to common
of their domicile) is not irrespective memorandum. As evidence of genuine hardship cases has yet to will form the be established, the need for special relief subject of a separate examination (see paragraph 35 below).
Current Policy
6
the
pensions this
addressed in
in HK
On 1 December 1988 about 34,000 pensions were being
Government's paid. The
and
order dollars,
in
is policy to maint ain power, to make periodic adjustment s
Index (A).
the
to
in
pay pensions the original purchasing in line with movement s The Price Consumer
Administration believes that, in the longer term, the maintenance of the HK/US dollar link makes for stability which is clearly in the interests of the community as
as a whole. Nevertheless, the resultant problem for about 2,300 overseas pensioners residing outside Hong Kong Canada (100), India and Pakistan [mainly in Australia (270), Canada (100)
to be (330), New Zealand (60), UK (1,500), USA (70)] needs addressed to determine whether special measures are justified.
Basis for Consideration
Distinction between Overseas and
Local Pensioners Based on Count ry of Domicile
7
For
this exercise,
is it
accepted
that overseas
officers normally retire to their country of domicile, that is their country of origin for leave and passage purposes prior to retirement.
The
converse
that is
retire and live in Hong Kong.
local
officers
normally