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people underemployed was 88,000. The rate of unemployment was a record high of 4.8%.
In face of such a harsh economic climate, we must not, as members of the community, remain indifferent. We should not shirk our responsibility on the excuse that it is a matter of central policy, as the Department claims, and turn a deaf ear to the hardship of the people.
As a representative of the citizens, I have all along been supporting the hawker policy formulated by the Council. I have no intention at all to abolish the hawker policy, which has proved to be very effective. Hence when I received the Department's letter to me and my colleagues giving nine reasons for its strong objection to the motion, I felt very puzzled. Is it improper at all for us to propose consideration of some interim and short-term measures? If Members read the motion carefully, you will find that we only want the Council to actively study the adoption of some temporary measures. I must stress that they are temporary measures lasting for one year. In other words, they are short-term and expedient measures aimed only at tiding over the difficulties together with the people of Hong Kong and helping them ride out the storm by creating for them more business and job opportunities and giving them more chances and choices.
In fact, our direction is the same as the Department's, which is to serve the public. There is nothing so serious as to abolish the policy or violate the Department's well-established principle. On the contrary, my proposal is only a timely policy and a short-term one. Past experience indicates that the setting up of Hawker Permitted Areas and Illuminated Night Fairs are the most effective, speedy and good solution for unemployment. If the Department's rich experience in management, existing manpower and effective management are fully utilized, this after all will be quite a good idea worth the Council's consideration. It is a workable way to help the Government solve the problem of unemployment and also a commendable policy for the people of Hong Kong.
I consider it inappropriate for the Department to put up so many excuses for objection, because the motion only recommends the consideration of a short-term measure rather than the implementation of a long-term policy. The many scenarios and various technical problems predicted by the Department should not be taken as justifications for not considering the motion today. I have the following responses to the nine major reasons for objection:
(1) I do not agree with the statement that solution of the problem of unemployment is a matter for the SAR Government. In face of the atrocious economic situation and the rising figure of the unemployed, how could the Council, a body representing public views, remain indifferent and turn a blind eye to their hardship? I am sure that under these circumstances, every Member will do his best to put forth some
Page 202 of 606
Page 202 of 6
Page 202 of 606
PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
199
people underemployed was 88 000. The rate of unemployment was a record high of 4.8%.
In face of such a harsh economic climate, we must not, as members of the community, remain indifferent. We should not shirk our responsibility on the excuse that it is a matter of central policy, as the Department claims, and turn a deaf ear to the hardship of the people.
As a representative of the citizens, I have all along been supporting the hawker policy formulated by the Council. I have no intention at all to abolish the hawker policy, which has proved to be very effective. Hence when I received the Department's letter to me and my colleagues giving nine reasons for its strong objection to the motion, I felt very puzzled. Is it improper at all for us to propose consideration of some interim and short-term measures? If Members read the motion carefully, you will find that we only want the Council to actively study the adoption of some temporary measures. I must stress that they are temporary measures lasting for one year. In other words. they are short-term and expedient measures aimed only at tiding over the difficulties together with the people of Hong Kong and helping them ride out the storm by creating for them more business and job opportunities and giving them more chances and choices.
In fact, our direction is the same as the Department's, which is to serve the public. There is nothing so serious as to abolish the policy or violate the Department's well-established principle. On the contrary, my proposal is only a timely policy and a short-term one. Past experience indicates that the setting up of Hawker Permitted Areas and Illuminated Night Fairs are the most effective, speedy and good solution for unemployment. If the Department's rich experience in management, existing manpower and effective management are fully utilized, this after all will be quite a good idea worth the Council's consideration. It is a workable way to help the Government solve the problem of unemployment and also a commendable policy for the people of Hong Kong.
I consider it inappropriate for the Department to put up so many excuses for objection, because the motion only recommends the consideration of a short- term measure rather than the implementation of a long-term policy. The many scenarios and various technical problems predicted by the Department should not be taken as justifications for not considering the motion today, I have the following responses to the nine major reasons for objection:
(1) 1 do not agree with the statement that solution of the problem of unemployment is a matter for the SAR Government. In face of the atrocious economic situation and the rising figure of the unemployed, how could the Council, a body representing public views. remain indifferent and turn a blind eye to their hardship? I am sure that under these circumstances, every Member will do his best to put forth some
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