9
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1978
SWD STAFF REDEPLOYED TO HANDLE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS
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THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT REDEPLOYED ITS STAFF IN OTHER GRADES TO MAKE IMMEDIATE PAYMENTS TO THOSE IN URGENT NEED OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE DURING THE INDUSTRIAL ACTION OF SOME OF ITS WELFARE STAFF LAST WEEK.
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, THE HON. THOMAS LEE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN THAT THE INDUSTRIAL ACTION TAKEN BY TWO GROUPS OF WELFARE STAFF LAST WEEK ONE GROUP FOR ONE DAY AND THE OTHER GROUP FOR TWO DAYS - HAD INEVITABLY AFFECTED SOME OF THE DEPARTMENT'S SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC, PARTICULARLY THOSE SERVICES EXCLUSIVELY MANNED BY THESE TWO GRADES OF STAFF.
HE SAID APPOINTMENTS FOR INTERVIEW IN RESPECT OF APPLICATIONS FOR OLD AGE ALLOWANCES PREVIOUSLY ARRANGED FOR THE DAYS IN QUESTION HAD TO BE POSTPONED AT SOME INCONVENIENCE TO THE APPLICANTS.
HOWEVER, HE SAID, ARRANGEMENTS ARE BEING MADE FOR THESE CASES TO BE PROCESSED.
*AS OLD AGE ALLOWANCES ARE NOT MEANS-TESTED, THIS DELAY IN PROCESSING APPLICATIONS NEED NOT CAUSE FINANCIAL HARDSHIP. ANY OLD PERSON IN URGENT NEED WILL BE OFFERED PUBLIC ASSISTANCE,+ HE SAID.