b)
c)
d)
e)
CONFIDENTIAL
The number of workers likely to be eligible to benefit from an extended sickness scheme (ie to be unemployed due to sickness for more than the one month during which they are covered under the Employment Ordinance) has been roughly estimated at about 35,000 for one month in the course of a year.
The number of workers who are already entitled to sickness benefits in excess of those in the Employment Ordinance through the terms of their employment is about 600,000 of which 113,000 are civil servants. Of this 600,000 many enjoy cover considerably better than that under the proposed scheme, but others may have less the exact position is not known. We think that 400,000 (including civil servants) would be a reasonable guess at the number where terms of employment provide cover as good or better than that proposed under the scheme.
We reckon (without much certainty) that in addition about, but not more than, 100,000 are similarly covered by voluntary schemes outside the terms of their employment. While keeping this group in mind, I will disregard their number since so little is known about it.
The number of deaths of economically active people under 60 in 1977 was:-
-
15 · 19:
121
20 · 39:
1128
40
59:
3862
Total (say): 5000
4. In addition one must remember that under existing non-contributory schemes: -
a)
b)
Public Assistance takes care of any family whose income and assets for any reason drop below the prescribed level, and that for those thus eligible, payments are made to meet needs, ie inclusive of rent and other special charges as well as subsistence.
Those unable to earn owing to permanent disability receive disability allowance plus Public Assistance when necessary.
CONFIDENTIAL
/ c)
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