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Commission on Poverty convenes 28th meeting
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     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, chaired the 28th meeting of the Commission on Poverty (CoP) this afternoon (February 7). As this meeting discussed two analyses related to ethnic minorities, members of the Special Needs Groups Task Force under the CoP also attended the meeting.
 
     At the meeting, members deliberated on the "Hong Kong Poverty Situation Report on Ethnic Minorities 2016" and the 'Study on Ethnic Minorities' Awareness and Satisfaction towards Selected Public Services'. Findings of the analyses reflected that ethnic minorities were subject to higher poverty risks owing to their socio-economic characteristics, which made them highly vulnerable groups requiring focused support. The analyses also show that the working poor was a prevalent issue among ethnic minorities, but they were generally self-reliant and were less dependent on cash benefits. 
 
     Mr Cheung said, "The Government and the CoP attach great importance to the livelihood of ethnic minorities, and are concerned about the issues raised in the analyses. Hong Kong is home to the ethnic minorities living here. The Government has all along been providing support measures covering various areas to facilitate the integration of ethnic minorities."
 
     He added, "Based on the findings and the recommendations of the analyses, relevant bureaux and departments will continue to enhance their existing services and also explore new measures, with a particular emphasis on enhancing ethnic minorities' awareness and use of public services to facilitate their access to relevant welfare subsidies and services, such as the Low-income Working Allowance (LIFA), to alleviate the situation of the working poor".
 
     The Policy Address announced a series of improvement measures for LIFA (to be renamed as the Working Family Allowance from April 1), which are expected to provide more effective assistance to more working ethnic minority families in need.
 
     "The Hong Kong Poverty Situation Report on Ethnic Minorities 2016" can be found at the CoP's website (www.povertyrelief.gov.hk). The Study on Ethnic Minorities' Awareness and Satisfaction towards Selected Public Services will be released by the end of February.
 
Ends/Wednesday, February 7, 2018
Issued at HKT 18:28
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