A
CONFIDENTIAL
Ра
ON OSPA
оло
For decision
on 15 May 1990
RECEIVES
-71390
нив. 2331
233
XCC (90) 67
Copy No. .......
CONERS IN
MEMORANDUM FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
RELIEF FOR CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONERS IN GENUINE HARDSHIP
CIVI
THE PROBLEM
On
31 January 1989, in considering memorandum
XCC(89) 22, the Council ADVISED and the Governor ORDERED, inter alia, that thought should be given to means of providing relief to pensioners in individual cases of genuine hardship. It was acknowledged that some cases of genuine hardship had arisen, not
much because of a decline in the value of pensions but because pensions were very small in absolute terms.
So
RECOMMENDATION AND ADVICE SOUGHT
2
It is recommended that a Pensioners' Welfare Fund, under the management of the Secretary for the Civil Service, should be set up to provide financial assistance to pensioners or families of deceased pensioners in cases of genuine hardship, subject to the provision of the necessary funds by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council.
3
Members will be asked to advise whether this recommendation should be approved.
BACKGROUND AND ARGUMENT
Requests for Financial Assistance from Pensioners
4
Annex A shows the number and nature of requests for financial assistance from pensioners in Hong Kong and overseas countries received by the Civil Service Branch from January 1986 to December 1989. The main reasons for these requests include
(a)
(b)
(c)
-
pensions being too small in absolute terms;
aged and senile pensioners being unable to meet the cost of the nursing care/special medical equipment (e.g. wheelchair, hearing aids etc.); and
widows and families in distress upon the death of the pensioner.
CONFIDENTIAL
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