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Hong Kong Government cooperates closely with international efforts to
control drug trafficking, and the territory is no longer an international
centre for the world narcotics market.
HOUSING
3.6 Hong Kong's housing problem stems from the fact that the population
has increased more than sevenfold since 1945. What is more, there is an
acute shortage of land suitable for development. The Hong Kong Government first started building public housing in 1954: its aim now is
to ensure that every family has a permanent, self-contained home at a
rent it can afford. At present about 40% of the population live in
public housing, and the Housing Authority constructs about 35,000 flats
a year. At the same time, there is a steady improvement in standards,
with more space and amenities such as shopping and recreational centres. However, demand continues to exceed supply, and there are some 750,000
people in temporary squatter accommodation.
SOCIAL WELFARE
3.7 Hong Kong does not yet have a comprehensive social security system, but there is a non-contributory means-tested Public Assistance Scheme designed to bring the income for a single person of a family up to a level
at which essential needs can be met. In addition to the basic scale (which is revised regularly, most recently in July 1981 by 25%), supplementary assistance may be given to cover rent, school expenses, special diets etc. An old-age supplement is paid to people over 60 who do not receive the old-age allowance and there is also an annual long-term
supplement to meet extra costs for replacement of household wares and durable goods.
3.8 A White Paper on Social Welfare Services published in April 1979
envisaged an estimated HK$2,000 million increase in capital and
recurrent expenditure up to 1986-87. HK$885 million allocated for
the current financial year represents an increase of HK$280 million over
the approved estimate for 1980/81.
LABOUR LEGISLATION
3.9 Hong Kong has an extensive range of labour legislation, controlling working hours and conditions for women and young people, paid holidays and leave, workmen's compensation, safety at work, etc. The employment
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