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The Labour Department has received more than 4,200 applications for the pilot Transport Support Scheme (TSS) since its launch in June. The department has approved some 3,700 claims for Job Search Allowance and Cross-district Transport Allowance involving a payout of more than $2 million.
"Most of the 3,858 applications approved come from Yuen Long (1,672 applications or 43%), followed by Tuen Mun with 1,346 applications (35%), and the rest from North and Islands districts with 528 (14%) and 312 (8%) applications respectively," head of the TSS Office of the Labour Department, Ms Ng Shuk-fong said.
"To facilitate eligible applicants' better understanding of the scheme and its arrangement, the department has launched a series of publicity and promotional activities to publicise the pilot TSS, including radio broadcasts, bus body advertising, newspaper advertisements, leaflets, posters, dedicated website and display of wall/street banners placed in the four designated districts under the scheme," Ms Ng said.
The department will continue to strengthen its publicity efforts to promote the pilot TSS through various means to educate the public about the scheme and to boost application figures. Over the coming months, the department will step up its promotion at district level through roving exhibitions, roadshows and career expos in the designated districts and advertisement in Light Rail trains.
The department will distribute application forms of the pilot TSS at its job fair at Tin Yiu Community Centre, Tin Shui Wai, on Tuesday (October 16). In addition, two roadshows to promote the pilot TSS will be held in Long Bin Estate (October 25-26), Yuen Long and Wu King Estate (November 3) in Tuen Mun. On-the-spot registrations will also be accepted during these occasions.
A review on the pilot TSS will be conducted at the end of the one-year trial period. The department will decide on the way forward after collating the views and suggestions of the community.
Needy unemployed people and low-income employees, currently residing in the districts of Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, North and Islands, who have met the eligibility criteria of the pilot TSS, are entitled to receive a cross-district transport allowance of $600 a month for up to six months. Eligible job-seekers or those intending to change jobs may also be reimbursed the Job Search Allowance of up to $600.
Application forms of the pilot TSS are now available at the Job Centres of the Labour department and the designated Service Centres. The form can also be downloaded from the pilot TSS' website (www.tss.labour.gov.hk). For details, please call the pilot TSS Hotline at 2123 9966.
Ends/Saturday, October 13, 2007
Issued at HKT 15:01
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