TNAG-0573-FCO40-706-Monitoring-of-progress-made-on-planning-paper-on-Hong-Kong-1976 — Page 33

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BEEN

W.K.Y.P.

11.12.76

K.S.E.N.

10.12.76

One regulation in the scheme stipulates that the applicant must register with the Labour Department and that they will be disqualified if they refuse to take a job.

But if the job offered is unacceptable to the applicant in terms of pay, hours and place of work, the applicant will be caught in the middle.

Public assistance should be treated as a form of social security and not as

a form of dole. We hope the Social Welfare Department will amend this regulation so that the dignity of people out of a job is respected.

Judging from the announcement of the scheme, we get the impression that:

1) This so-called unemployment benefits scheme is being introduced on a trial basis without any planning.

2) The Government is using this benefits scheme as a means of reducing somewhat the degree of public opposition to proposals for increasing rates and other taxes.

W.K.M.P.

11.12.76

3) The Government appears to be trying to keep spending on this scheme as small as possible and it has laid down strict rules on eligibility and tight screening procedures.

With these measures the Government can control expenditure and will not spend as much on this as in Britain.

Therefore we should not be too optimistic as to whether this form of "assistance" can help the unemployed in Hong Kong solve their problems.

Overtime for young workers to be phased out

We are not opposed to improving labour conditions as far as circum- stances allow. But if like Britain we go ahead with a labour reform programme which is beyond our resources, not only will Hong Kong's industry die but the workers. will not derive any benefit from it.

Workers between 16 and 17 are physically and mentally capable of working overtime. The Government is well-intentioned in stopping them from working overtime so that they can further their studies. But there are not enough institutes where one can make use of one's spare time and obtain free training and further education. The Government is putting the cart before the horse by depriving them of a chance to earn more now.