-
27.
Since then, the rates have been adjusted to take into account inflation when necessary. Various supplements to the rates have been introduced to meet the needs of clients. When we introduced the CSSA scheme in 1993, most of these supplements were then subsumed into the standard rates. Real increases to the rates have also been made which have resulted in the CSSA standard rates for a single able-bodied adult and a single able-bodied elderly person being increased by more than 16 times and 24 times respectively since 1971, whereas inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (A), has increased by less than 7 times over the same period. As a result of the subsuming of supplements into the standard rates and these substantial real increases in rates, the relationship between the standard rate payment and costs in regard to the range of specific needs originally identified has been lost over time.
Since, as I said earlier, CSSA rates are not fixed by reference to maintaining "a reasonable standard of living in Hong Kong", it is not possible for me to respond fully to the second and third parts of this question. But it is important to note that CSSA payments comprise not only standard rates but also a range of special grants for rent (up to $2,858 per month for a family of four), educational expenses (which on average amount to $1,680 per child a year), water charges, telephone charges, medical expenses, special diets (ranging from $350 to $670 per month), expenses on child care (which can be up to $3,560 per month for day creche or $1,745 per month for a day nursery place) and travelling, etc. Any consideration of their adequacy must take these special grants fully into account.
End/Wednesday, June 21, 1995
Vacant positions in retail industry
Following is a question by the Hon Selina Chow and a reply by the acting Secretary for Education and Manpower, Miss Jacqueline Willis, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
The Government announced earlier this year that the number of vacant positions in the retail industry stood at a high of 7,151. In view of this, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether retraining programmes catering for the needs of the retail industry have been offered with a view to relieving the acute labour shortage in the industry;