XN000022-1977-10-27 — Page 19

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1977

DESIRE TO RAISE NORMAL RETIRING AGE

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THE HON. LEUNG TAT-SHING SAID TODAY THERE WAS A DESIRE AMONG WORKERS TO RAISE THE NORMAL RETIRING AGE OF EMPLOYEES, PARTICULARLY

IN THE LOWER GRADES OF THE CIVIL SERVICE FROM 55 YEARS TO 60 OR EVEN 65.

HE SAID PENDING A FAVOURABLE RULING ON THIS BY THE GOVERNMENT, WORKERS NEARING THEIR 55TH BIRTHDAY WOULD FIND IT MORE ENCOURAGING, REASSURING AND SATISFYING BECAUSE OF THE IMPROVEMENT IN RECENT YEARS TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE.

HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL'S ANNUAL DEBATE ON THE MOTION OF THANKS FOR THE GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS WHICH HE SAID WAS GENERALLY HAILED BY THE WORKING POPULATION IN HONG KONG, AND PROUGHT GOOD TIDINGS IN MATTERS OF IMMEDIATE CONCERN.

ON THE PROPOSED CONTRIBUTORY SICKNESS AND DEATH INSURANCE SCHEME, HE SAID THE REACTION OF THE WORKERS TOWARDS IT WAS GENERALLY FAVOURABLE IN THE ABSENCE OF A MORE COMPREHENSIVE AND BENEFICIAL SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEME, PARTICULARLY IN THE CASE OF MIDDLE-AGED WORKERS AND THOSE WITH HEAVY FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES.

HE NOTED THAT THE PROPOSED SCHEME WOULD HELP TO REHABILITATE GRIEF-STRICKEN FAMILIES AND TIDE THEM OVER THESE PERIODS OF MISFORTUNE.

+I CAN ENVISAGE THAT THIS PROPOSAL WILL THEREFORE RECEIVE ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT FROM WORKERS GENERALLY, AND HOPE THAT IT WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE SOONER THAN 1980, + MR. LEUNG ADDED.

HE ALSO WELCOMED THE MOVE TO REDUCE THE QUALIFYING AGE FOR OLD AGE ALLOWANCE AND TO IMPROVE THE DISABILITY ALLOWANCE.

HOWEVER HE SAID: +ALTHOUGH THESE ARE CERTAINLY STEPS FORWARD TOWARDS PROVIDING BETTER SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY THEY STILL FALL SHORT OF THE COMPREHENSIVE AIM TO AMELIORATE THE HARDSHIPS OF THE AGED, THE POOR AND THE HELPLESS, SINCE THE PRESENCE OF HARSH LIVING CONDITIONS FORMS AN ADVERSE REFLECTION ON THE NAME OF THE COMMUNITY WITHIN ANY ORDERED SOCIETY.+

COMMENTING ON THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, MR. LEUNG SAID IT WAS THE EARNEST DESIRE OF THE WORKERS TO BE ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM AND TO QUALIFY FOR IT, SINCE HOUSING FOR WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES WAS STILL A MAJOR SOCIAL PROBLEM.

SUCH DEMANDS ON THE LIMITED PARTICULARLY IN THE CASE ARE NOT QUALIFIED FOR, LOW

+THE HIGH COST OF LIVING AND RENT FOR LIVING ACCOMMODATION REMAIN A HEAVY BURDEN ON WAGE-EARNERS. NEANS OF EMPLOYEES CAN BE AGGRAVATING, OF YOUNG MARRIED COUPLES WHO NEED, BUT COST HOUSING, HE REMARKED.

/MR. LEUNG