Appendix D-Contd.
119 The public assistance scheme is designed to bring the income of individuals and families up to prescribed levels. Essential needs such as food, clothing, fuel etc. are met by basic rates. The cost of accommodation, schooling, travelling and other items of special expenditure are covered separately, subject to prescribed maximum levels. The public assistance caseload fell steadily from 49 902 in 1976 to around 45 664 in 1980; then rose gradually from 1980 onwards. By the end of 1986, it was 62 991. Some 6% of the present caseload consists of persons unemployed or earning a low income.
120 The existing basic rates for public assistance and for the special needs allowances (disability and old age) were set in February 1984. Provision of $730.9 million is included in 1987-88 for public assistance (compared with the revised estimate of $686.1 million for 1986–87) and $1,036.7 million for special needs allowances (compared with the revised estimate of $958.5 million in 1986–87).
121 A large proportion of recurrent expenditure will continue to be channelled through social welfare subventions to voluntary agencies. In October 1981 a revised subvention system was approved under which the social services and facilities provided by organizations and trusts are classified as Category I or Category II depending on their nature. Services in Category I receive subvention at 100% of the standard cost and services in Category II only part of the standard cost or a lump sum if standard costs cannot be established. In 1983-84 standard costs were introduced and at present apply to eight services, namely neighbourhood level community development projects, family life education, family casework, small group homes, foster care, school social work, outreaching social work and pool buses for the elderly. However, a review of the standard cost system showed that the application of mid-point salary in the calculation of personal emoluments has resulted in large surpluses in agencies' accounts. This is clearly undesirable and, pending consideration of the proposed modifications to the current subvention system, the Director of Social Welfare does not recommend any further extension of the standard cost in 1987–88. Subventions for other services, in the interim, will continue to be granted for Category I services at 100% of existing recognized expenditure, adjusted for price increases, and for Category II services at a fixed percentage based on the average level of financial support for that service (adjusted for price increases) or an appropriate lump sum. In calculating subventions to social welfare agencies only fee income received by agencies and interest accrued from subvention moneys not immediately spent will be taken into account.
122 Rehabilitation services in the social welfare field continue to be expanded and improved through the Government and subvented voluntary agencies. Funds are provided in 1987-88 for establishing four halfway houses for the ex-mentally ill, four day work activity centres, two work activity centres cum hostel, one early education and training centre, one special child care centre, four sheltered workshops cum hostel, provision of 30 additional places for disabled children in ordinary child care centres under the integrated programme, partial implementation of improvement of staffing level of sheltered workshops, and improvement in staffing level in the headquarters administration of some subvented agencies. During 1987-88, the Social Welfare Department plans to operate one home-cum-work activity centre and one hostel for the disabled.
(E)(5) Labour
123 Spending on labour services stands at around 0.3% of Government's total spending. 124 Government activities in the labour field include regulating conditions of employment, employment assistance, the fostering of labour relations, assisting employees injured at work to obtain compensation, promoting the safety and health of workers in the workplace, and administering legislation on explosives, prospecting, quarrying and mining. It also administers trade union legislation. Air pollution control, previously under the Labour Department, was transferred to the Environmental Protection Department in April 1986. 125 The Labour Department provides employment assistance to employers and job-seekers. To improve the efficiency of the service, a new facsimile network to provide fast communication between local employment service offices has been installed.
126 On 1 January 1986, the provisions of the long service payment scheme under the Employment Ordinance came into effect. These provide for payment for employees who have been dismissed without cause and have completed a number of continuous years of service with their employers.
127 From April 1985 to December 1986, the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund paid a total of $26.7 million to 11 025 employees who were unable to obtain arrears of wages owed to them by their insolvent employers. 128 The Government continues to provide funds for a wide range of activities to promote industrial safety and health. These are complemented by sponsorship from the private sector.
129 Wider use of computers in the area of labour services is being planned. Work in connection with the registration of pressure equipment is undergoing computerization and action will also be taken to computerize employees' compensation cases. Six microcomputers were installed in 1986-87 to improve the efficiency of various activities of the Labour Department.
130 A proposal to regionalize labour services is now under consideration.
131 The Government began an education programme for trade unionists in 1983. The number of courses has increased gradually since then and this effort will be sustained in 1987-88.
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