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Transport Support Scheme to be launched on Monday
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    The launching of a pilot Transport Support Scheme (TSS) on Monday (June 25) will allow job-seekers and low-income employees living in Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, North and Islands districts to apply for job search and cross-district transport allowances through 24 designated service centres of non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

     Senior Labour Officer (TSS Office) of the Labour Department Ms Betty Ng Shuk-fong said that by implementing the scheme, the Government wanted to promote employment and help those with work ability move from welfare to self-reliance.

     "Taking into account the remoteness of these four districts and their relative lack of local employment opportunities, the Government sees a need to provide transport allowances as an additional incentive for unemployed people and low-income employees there to find jobs and work across districts," she said.

     Under the one-year pilot scheme, eligible job-seekers and low-income employees living in these districts may claim a job search allowance or cross-district transport allowance within one year from the approval date of their applications.

     Job-seekers applying for the job search allowance must be actively seeking employment. They have to declare their intention of seeking a job of no less than 72 hours a month, and meeting a personal asset limit requirement of no more than $44,000.

     "In addition to unemployed people, individuals who have a monthly income of no more than $5,600 and wish to change jobs may apply for the job search allowance. However, those in full-time education or training will not be eligible for the allowance," Ms Ng said.

     An allowance of up to $600 will be provided to each eligible job-seeker to help meet the transport costs involved in job searches within or across the district.

     On the other hand, the cross-district transport allowance of $600 per month for up to six months will be provided to eligible low-income employees who work across districts.

     Eligible applicants have to fulfil the following criteria: working across districts for no less than 72 hours a month; earning a monthly income of no more than $5,600; and meeting a personal asset limit requirement of no more than $44,000. Self-employed people and those in full-time education or training will not be eligible for the allowance.

     Under the scheme, eligible applicants will be required to declare that they are not concurrently receiving similar employment-related transport subsidy benefits. Such benefits include those provided under the Temporary Financial Aid of the Intensive Employment Assistance Projects run by the Social Welfare Department, the travelling allowance for the elderly, the sick and the disabled under the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme, and the Special Incentive Allowance Scheme for Local Domestic Helpers administered by the Employees Retraining Board.

     "CSSA recipients and graduated retrainees of the Employees Retraining Board can benefit from the pilot scheme as long as they meet the eligibility criteria. To encourage CSSA recipients to make use of the Transport Support Scheme to integrate into the labour market, the allowances under the scheme will be treated as disregarded earnings under the CSSA Scheme," Ms Ng said.

     "The Government has engaged 24 NGO service centres serving the four districts and with experience in delivering training and employment assistance to assist in the processing of applications. They will be responsible for assessing the applicants' eligibility, checking their documentary proof, approving applications and disbursing allowances.  

     "The Labour Department will oversee the implementation of the pilot scheme. We will put in place a monitoring framework to guard against abuses through vetting, counter-checking, auditing and inspection. There will be a cross-checking mechanism with relevant departments to avoid the granting of double benefits to applicants," she said.

     Interested persons who want to know more about the scheme and the list of 24 service centres are welcome to call the Labour Department's hotline on 2123 9966 or browse the scheme's webpage at http://www.tss.labour.gov.hk.

Ends/Thursday, June 21, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:31

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