Friends of the Earth might launch a voluntary pilot community work scheme for jobless people on welfare.
The group made the suggestion after discussions with officials from the Social Welfare Department.
Unlike an earlier proposal under the review of the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance scheme, the community work would not be compulsory.
'We may launch a small pilot scheme so that dole recipients can volunteer to take part,' Friends of the Earth assistant director Plato Yip Kwong-to said yesterday.
'We don't want the participants to feel they're being forced to do it.' No extra funding apart from some expenses would be granted to the group. 'We will have expenses, such as coach rentals and tools covered,' Mr Yip said.
'Meal allowances and transport expenses will be provided, although they won't be paid.' Tasks would relate to environmental conservation, such as tree planting and mowing grass.
