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Employment Support Scheme publishes eighth batch of employers receiving wage subsidies and prepares to disburse another batch of subsidies
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     The Employment Support Scheme (ESS) Secretariat published on the ESS website (www.ess.gov.hk) today (August 20) the name list of the eighth batch of employers that have received wage subsidies under the first tranche, the amount of subsidies received and the employers' committed headcount of paid employees.

     A Government spokesman said, "The name list of the eighth batch of employers published today covers about 7 600 employers. These employers have received wage subsidies totalling about $2.8 billion (for June to August 2020), and committed to maintaining a total paid headcount of about 125 000. Together with the name list of the eighth batch of employers, the Secretariat has published from June 22 up to today the name lists of about 145 000 employers that have received wage subsidies and the relevant information."
 
     In addition, the ESS Secretariat has notified a further batch of about 2 000 successful employer applicants, and will commence disbursement of wage subsidies totalling about $500 million within this week, covering a total committed paid headcount of about 23 000 employees. To date, the wage subsidies disbursed amount to about $43.9 billion, covering around 148 500 employers with a total committed paid headcount of about 1.9 million. 

     Excluding the 18 300 ineligible applicants that have not been approved for wage subsidies, the ESS Secretariat has completed processing for around 99 per cent of the eligible employers and will continue to process the remaining 1 800 applications with a view to completing the first tranche as early as possible. 
 
     The spokesman said, "Should an employer be found to have abused or violated the conditions of the ESS, the employees concerned or members of the public can make a report to the ESS Secretariat. The Secretariat and the processing agent will follow up on all reports and complaints."
 
     The Government has announced on August 18 details of the second tranche of the ESS. Applications for wage subsidies covering September to November 2020 under the second tranche will be accepted from 7am on August 31 to 11.59pm on September 13. Details can be found on the ESS website (www.ess.gov.hk) or through the hotline 1836 122.
 
Ends/Thursday, August 20, 2020
Issued at HKT 18:09
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