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Working-class poor numbers soar

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THE ranks of Hong Kong's working-class poor have been swelling by up to 16 per cent a year since 1993, according to survey results released yesterday.

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The Hong Kong Social Security Society estimated 390,000 people were now unemployed or earning less than half the median wage - a sharp 63 per cent rise on the 240,000 in 1993.

The survey was based on government statistics on household incomes and population for the past four years.

Society vice-chairman Dr Henry Mok Tai-kee said fewer than 10 per cent of unemployed people were professionals.

In 1993, about 180,000 people were earning less than half the median salary of $7,000 and about 60,000 were unemployed, Dr Mok said. By June this year, there were nearly 300,000 low-income earners and more than 90,000 unemployed.

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Dr Mok said the increase reflected a serious problem which the Government and political parties must look into.

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