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Following is the transcript (English portion) of the remarks by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, on poverty alleviation and minimum wage after attending a public function today (January 1):
Reporter: What's the overall situation of poverty in Hong Kong?
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: The Government attaches great importance to poverty alleviation. We have been doing a lot and we will continue to step up our efforts to help the poor people on various fronts. First of all, for those people on comprehensive social security system, we will increase the standard rate by 3.4% with effect from February 1. That standard rate increase also applies to those on Old Age Allowance and Disability Allowance. Secondly, we will introduce minimum wage across the board on Labour Day (May 1) this year - $28 an hour. Subject to endorsement by LegCo next Wednesday, it will be crucial for us to get the subsidiary legislation enacted. Then it will be law in Hong Kong, the minimum wage will be here to stay. We will continue of course to ensure as many people as possible will benefit from it. At least, I believe that some 300,000 low paid employees will benefit from minimum wage implementation here. And also we will be going to the Finance Committee of LegCo on January 28 to get funding - $3.9 billion for the Work Incentive Transport Subsidy Scheme. The whole purpose is to ease the burden of transport expenses for low income employees. Everybody who is eligible will be entitled to $600 per month and there is no time limit at all. As long as you are eligible, you can draw $600 per month. That underlines the government¡¦s commitment to alleviating poverty and helping the work in poor.
Reporter: What about in terms of housing, housing policy, or helping the poor in that sense?
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: The Financial Secretary will be drawing up the Budget shortly and in the course of his deliberation, he will certainly consult stakeholders, LegCo members and various other bodies. I am sure he will take account of all these views, aspirations and sentiment.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Saturday, January 1, 2011
Issued at HKT 16:56
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