Page 296 of 312
566
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Mr. Chairman, I have also read quite a few Chinese newspapers which have congratulated Government on establishing an Ombudsman in Hong Kong.
(4) MR. SOLOMON RAFEEK asked the following question:-
In view of the present acute shortage of labour in the Urban Services Department, particularly in the street sweeping and cleansing section where the work is said to be obnoxious and the pay absurdly unattractive, will the Chairman consider the advisability of providing the labourers with accommodation either rent-free, or at a low rental within their means, so as to attract more men to offer their services?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
The 1965 Salaries Commission will shortly be considering the salaries of all Scale 1 officers of the public service. It will, I understand, take into consideration outlay on rental, as well as other expenses to be met by minor grades of the public service.
Representations on behalf of Scale 1 officers were recently forwarded from the Urban Services Department to the Secretary of the 1965 Salaries Commission for consideration. Reference was made therein to the housing problem and the opportunity was taken to explain the present situation to the Commission and suggest how it might be alleviated.
It would be physically impossible for the Urban Services Department to house its labour force of some 7,000 persons in existing departmental accommodation. In the circumstances, I think that it should be left to the Salaries Commission to advise on the steps which should be taken in this matter.
The first part of this question mentions the acute shortage of labourers particularly in the street sweeping and cleansing section. I should inform Members that there has been an improvement recently in the position regarding vacancies for cleansing labourers. On 26th December last year there were 300 vacancies; the figure has now dropped to 97. The main reason for this is that with increasing mechanization at the Gin Drinkers Bay dump it has been possible to transfer a number of redundant labourers to cleansing duties in the urban areas. There has also been a gradual increase in the intake of new recruits for labourer posts.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
567
MR. RAFEEK: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, but there is one point I should like to emphasize and that is, that it is not only a question of attracting more men if they were provided with accommodation, but a question of ensuring their staying on after employment. If a man knows that his family is secure in difficult times and there is not this constant fear of losing his wooden hut or his cubicle living space, he will be a happier and better worker. Moreover, there is also one advantage and that is, in times of emergency, such as typhoons, large numbers of staff can be found, when required, concentrated in one place, thus cutting transport expenses. So, Mr. Chairman, I appeal to you to bring this point to Government.
CHAIRMAN:- Sir, I am grateful for your observations, but with deep respect, I would point out that this is Question Time and it should not be made the occasion for a speech. I would be delighted, of course, to answer supplementary questions.
MR. SALES:- Sir, may I ask whether this particular grade of civil servant would or would not qualify for loans to form co-operative societies for housing?
CHAIRMAN: I do not think so, Sir. In fact, I am pretty certain that they would not. I would ask my friend the Director of Public Works to confirm that, but as far as the Department is concerned, we have been particularly interested in the provision of more low-cost housing for our employees.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:- I can confirm what the Chairman has said. I am pretty sure that they are not eligible to form co-operatives, but I believe they come in on the 15% of the housing societies' allocation.
MR. SALES:- Mr. Chairman, if the 15% that has been set aside for this grade of civil servant is not enough to meet the demand, would you please ask Government to consider the need to allow them to form co-operative societies for cheaper and lower cost housing in the same way as other grades are given that particular advantage?
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:- I think, Mr. Chairman, I could perhaps clarify one point. I am talking without the book, and I may be wrong (I will check this afterwards), but I think that it is only pensionable officers who are eligible for co-operatives. This would cut the labourer out.
CHAIRMAN:- I feel, Sir, that it would be correct to allow the Salaries Commission to consider this point first, but I will certainly take note of what you have said and invite Government's attention to your observations in the matter.
Page 296 of 312
Page 296 of 312
566
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, I have also read quite a few Chinese newspapers which have congratulated Government on establish- ing an Ombudsman in Hong Kong.
(4) MR. SOLOMON RAFEEK asked the following question:-
In view of the present acute shortage of labour in the Urban Services Department, particularly in the street sweeping and cleansing section where the work is said to be obnoxious and the pay absurdly unattractive, will the Chairman consider the advisability of providing the labourers with accommodation either rent-free, or at a low rental within their means, so as to attract more men to offer their services?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
The 1965 Salaries Commission will shortly be considering the salaries of all Scale 1 officers of the public service. It will, I understand, take into consideration outlay on rental, as well as other expenses to be met by minor grades of the public service.
Representations on behalf of Scale 1 officers were recently forwarded from the Urban Services Department to the Secretary of the 1965 Salaries Commission for considera- tion. Reference was made therein to the housing problem and the opportunity was taken to explain the present situa- tion to the Commission and suggest how it might be alleviated.
It would be physically impossible for the Urban Services Department to house its labour force of some 7,000 persons in existing departmental accommodation. In the circum- stances, I think that it should be left to the Salaries Com- mission to advise on the steps which should be taken in this matter.
The first part of this question mentions the acute shortage of labourers particularly in the street sweeping and cleansing section. I should inform Members that there has been an improvement recently in the position regarding vacancies for cleansing labourers. On 26th December last year there were 300 vacancies; the figure has now dropped to 97. The main reason for this is that with increasing mechaniza- tion at the Gin Drinkers Bay dump it has been possible to transfer a number of redundant labourers to cleansing duties in the urban areas. There has also been a gradual increase in the intake of new recruits for labourer posts.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
567
MR. RAFEEK: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, but there is one point I should like to emphasize and that is, that it is not only a question of attracting more men if they were provided with accommodation, but a question of ensuring their staying on after employment. If a man knows that his family is secure in difficult times and there is not this constant fear of losing his wooden hut or his cubicle living space, he will be a happier and better worker. Moreover, there is also one advantage and that is, in times of emergency, such as typhoons, large numbers of staff can be found, when required, concentrated in one place, thus cutting transport expenses. So, Mr. Chairman, I appeal to you to bring this point to Government.
CHAIRMAN:-Sir, I am grateful for your observations, but with deep respect, I would point out that this is Question Time and it should not be made the occasion for a speech. I would be delighted, of course, to answer supplementary questions.
MR. SALES-Sir, may I ask whether this particular grade of civil servant would or would not qualify for loans to form co-operative socie- ties for housing?
CHAIRMAN: I do not think so, Sir. In fact, I am pretty certain that they would not. I would ask my friend the Director of Public Works to confirm that, but as far as the Department is concerned, we have been particularly interested in the provision of more low-cost housing for our employees.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-I can confirm what the Chairman has said. I am pretty sure that they are not eligible to form co- operatives, but I believe they come in on the 15% of the housing societies' allocation.
MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, if the 15% that has been set aside for this grade of civil servant is not enough to meet the demand, would you please ask Government to consider the need to allow them to form co-operative societies for cheaper and lower cost housing in the same way as other grades are given that particular advantage?
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-I think, Mr. Chairman, I could perhaps clarify one point. I am talking without the book, and I may be wrong (I will check this afterwards), but I think that it is only pen- sionable officers who are eligible for co-operatives. This would cut the labourer out.
CHAIRMAN:-I feel, Sir, that it would be correct to allow the Salaries Commission to consider this point first, but I will certainly take note of what you have said and invite Government's attention to your observa- tions in the matter.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.