Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying has decided to revive the Commission on Poverty which was scrapped in 2007.
I completely agree with Oxfam Hong Kong, which has suggested that the commission should have a poverty line defined and rethink poverty reduction targets, as these are realistic ways to help the needy.
Up till now, the government has not devised a poverty threshold. But if it wants to understand the extent of the problem here, it must have a poverty line and its measurement must be accurate. Factors it must look at are, for example, rental income, real estate and share investments. It needs accurate statistics so that those who are most in need will get help with medical welfare, education and social services. It is important that there is an efficient allocation of resources.
The problem is compounded here because the gap between rich and poor is becoming wider. This is happening in spite of the minimum wage being introduced in Hong Kong last year.
The problem is exacerbated because of the undefined poverty threshold.
I know of four governments which have adopted poverty alleviation strategies - Ireland, Canada, the mainland and the Philippines.
After adopting its policy, Canada saw the numbers of those living in poverty decrease by more than one million between 1993 and 2003.