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Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, on the Government Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities (the Scheme) and the MPF offsetting arrangement after attending the opening ceremony of Yan Chai Hospital Cheng Yu Tung Child Development Centre today (December 11):
Reporter: Mr Cheung, was the abuse case caused by a lack of supervision of how the discount has been implemented?
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: In fact, this case reflected two things. First of all, our concern about the integrity of the Scheme. Secondly, that our supervision system is taking effect. In fact, it is through the monitoring by the Transport Department that we discovered this case and referred the case to the Police. The message is quite clear that everybody should really comply with the law and make sure that the Scheme is not abused, and we mean business in terms of law enforcement here.
Reporter: On the reform ideas (on MPF offsetting arrangement) proposed yesterday.
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: The seminar, organised by the Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong together with 14 business associations, I think it marked a very good start in terms of providing opportunities for the business community to air their views and also with some very constructive ideas floated by academics at the meeting. I think it is a good start because our purpose is really to stimulate public discussion and also arouse an informed discussion on this important subject, which is of prime concern not just to the business community, but also to workers at large. We will have enough time to consult the community. In fact, the upcoming consultation on retirement protection, six months' consultation period, will provide a very good opportunity for us to exchange views and to find a way forward.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Friday, December 11, 2015
Issued at HKT 19:26
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