TNAG-0876-FCO40-1086-Development-of-social-welfare-policy-in-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 2

XCC(79)21

are supplemented by a range of occupational benefits provided by employers, including those under statutory stimulus. These include sickness allowance, severance payment, paid holidays and workmen's compensation for injuries or deaths arising out of employment.

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Direct social services may be grouped under five main categories, namely, community and youth services, family welfare services, services for the elderly, probation and correctional services and various support services including planning, research and training.

Further Developments in Social Security

(i) Public Assistance

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The Government's policy in the further development of social security is, briefly, that the Public Assistance scheme should continue to be the mainstay of its social security system. The scheme is non-contributory and is related to a family's rather than an individual's means and needs, consistent with the family tradition in Hong Kong. By international standards, it is exceptionally free of restrictions: it does not exclude any particular category of people but provides a single safety net for those proven to be in need. Help is concentrated on those least able to help themselves and this is felt to be the right approach to social security in Hong Kong. Administrative simplicity should be maintained as this keeps to a minimum the proportion of social security expenditure which is spent on administration. The Public Assistance Index provides a ready means of ensuring that the level of allowances keeps pace with inflation, The Government accepts the need not only to protect the value of social security benefits but also to examine from time to time the components of the Public Assistance Index weightings to ensure that they reflect the actual expenditure patterns of the client group.

(ii) Special Needs Allowance

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The Special Needs Allowance scheme (previously known as the Welfare Allowance Scheme) is based on need established by reference to the circumstances of the individual and not by reference to low income. This scheme caters for two specific categories, the severely disabled and the elderly. These two categories of people are "vulnerable groups" with needs which other members of the community do not have. A flat rate non-means-tested allowance provides appropriate help and encourages families to continue to look after their disabled or elderly members. This is consistent

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