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The following is the response by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, to media enquiries on the subject of transport expenses support in the Budget today (February 24):
"The Government is fully aware that there is a substantial body of opinion that transport expenses have brought pressure to low-income employees. We will look into the issue in a serious, comprehensive and in-depth manner with a view to mapping out appropriate and specific measures to help the group.
During the process, we will need to study prudently the objective, positioning, supporting mechanism and modus operandi of the measures to be drawn up in order to address the group’s needs in transport expenses and ensure the effective use of public resources.
We will have to collate detailed information on the income and expenditure statistics of low-income employees of all districts in Hong Kong, their choice of transport, travelling costs, as well as transport expenses as a proportion of their income and expenditure. Thematic surveys will also be conducted, if necessary. We expect to complete the study and draw up specific measures by the end of the year. We will then consult the relevant panels of the Legislative Council (Legco) as soon as possible.
In his Budget speech today, the Financial Secretary has made it clear that the Government would make suitable financial provisions depending on the findings of the study.
Before the completion of the study, the existing Transport Support Scheme (TSS) will remain in force to assist job seekers and low-income employees in four designated remote districts - North district, Yuen Long, Tuen Mun, and Islands. We shall report the result of the review of TSS to the Manpower Panel of Legco as soon as it is ready."
Ends/Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Issued at HKT 14:31
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