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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1993
HK'S WELFARE SYSTEM HIGHLY DEVELOPED
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HONG KONG'S COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM PROVIDES SAFETY NET FOR THE VULNERABLE AND THE NEEDY, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, TOLD AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE TODAY (TUESDAY).
THIS SYSTEM WHICH IS COMPARABLE TO ANY IN ASIA, HAS FROM THE PROVISION OF BASIC RELIEF TO PROVIDING A BROAD SERVICES TO THOSE IN NEED OF CARE, PROTECTION AND ASSISTANCE.
DEVELOPED RANGE OF FINANCIAL
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IN ADDITION, SHE SAID, THERE WAS A RANGE OF PREVENTIVE, DEVELOPMENTAL AND SUPPORT SERVICES, AS WELL AS REMEDIAL SERVICES THOSE WHO WERE VULNERABLE AND REQUIRED SUCH ASSISTANCE.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE ASIA REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON SOCIAL SECURITY, MRS WONG SAID THIS WELFARE PROGRAMME WAS COSTING THE GOVERNMENT $9 BILLION IN TERMS OF RECURRENT EXPENDITURE IN 1993/94.
THE SYSTEM HAS THREE KEY ELEMENTS.
CENTRAL ΤΟ THIS SYSTEM IS THE COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE SCHEME, WHICH WAS ONLY INTRODUCED ON JULY 1 THIS YEAR.
"IT IS NON-CONTRIBUTORY AND IS RELATED TO A FAMILY'S MEANS AND NEEDS, MRS WONG SAID.
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"PAYMENTS UNDER THE SCHEME ARE BASED ON A RANGE OF STANDARD RATES AND SPECIAL GRANTS AND SUPPLEMENTS, INCLUDING A RENT ALLOWANCE, FREE MEDICAL TREATMENT, ANNUAL LONG-TERM SUPPLEMENTS, REIMBURSEMENT OF SCHOOL FRES AND RELATED EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES, MEAL ALLOWANCE FOR STUDENTS AND OTHER GRANTS.
**THE AVERAGE PAYMENT FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR IS $5,880 PER MONTH OR 98 PER CENT OF AVERAGE MANUFACTURING WAGE, SHE SAID.
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THE SECOND COMPONENT OF THE SYSTEM IS THE SOCIAL SECURITY ALLOWANCE SCHEME UNDER WHICH, THOSE AGED BETWEEN 65 AND 69 RECEIVE AN OLD AGE ALLOWANCE OF $450 PER MONTH WHILE THOSE AGED 70 AND ABOVE GET $510.
ANY PERSON WHO IS SEVERELY DISABLED IS ALSO ELIGIBLE FOR EITHER A NORMAL DISABILITY ALLOWANCE OF $900 PER MONTH OR A HIGHER DISABILITY ALLOWANCE OF $1,800 PER MONTH.
THE THIRD ELEMENT OF THE SYSTEM IS ACCIDENT
EMERGENCY RELIEF.
COMPENSATION AND
THIS PROVIDES SHORT-TERM ASSISTANCE TO TIDE A FAMILY OR AN INDIVIDUAL OVER A SERIOUS AND UNFORESEEN SETBACK WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED OR LOST EARNINGS OR ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE.
ASSISTANCE
MRS WONG SAID THE COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEME AND THE SOCIAL SECURITY ALLOWANCE SCHEME WERE BOTH FUNDED ENTIRELY BY THE GOVERNMENT.
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