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Older Workers in Commerce and Offices
23.
Hong Kong has a comparatively young population with an obvious bulge between the ages of 8 to 17 when a population pyramid is drawn. According to the 1971 census, 4.51 per cent of the working population is aged 65 and over. Because 13 per cent of the working population are within the commercial sector and 16 per cent are clerical and sales workers, by deduction it may be inferred that only 1.31 per cent of those engaged in those fields are aged 65 and above. The small proportion of older workers in these particular sectors would not incur any economic burden upon the local, community.
24.
The need for old-age benefits as well as other social security measures is kept under close review. An expanded public assistance scheme was introduced on 1st April 1971 under the administration of the Social Welfare Department. Albeit not directly related to old-age insurance, the scheme aims to bring the income and other resources of a single person or a family up to a certain level. The scheme gives special consideration to aged persons over 55.
25.
In addition, a Disability and Infirmity Allowance Scheme which is also administered by the Social Welfare Department was introduced on 1st April 1973. bubject to certain exceptions, the scheme provides a non-means-tested, non-contributory allowance from public funds to the severely disabled and elderly infirm.
Conclusions
26.
In the present stage of economic development in Hong Kong, many of the problems discussed in the report can only be tackled as very long-term aims or as part of improving labour legislation not solely related to the commercial sector.
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