Less talk, more action needed on jobs, say unions
Union leaders yesterday urged the Government to talk less and act more in speeding up economic relief measures, as the jobless rate rose to 5.3 per cent, its highest level for 17 months.
Vice-secretary of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions Wong Kwok-hing said the rate underscored the need for quick action by the administration.
'The Government's measures as outlined in the Policy Address were in the right direction, but if it acts too slowly, they will not benefit those in need in the current economic crisis,' said Mr Wong, an Eastern District councillor.
The federation yesterday sent a petition to government headquarters stating its demands.
These included shortening the creation period of 30,000 temporary jobs from one year to three months and speeding up $600 billion worth of infrastructure projects planned over 15 years.
The petition also urged the Government to give priority to local firms in public projects, to strengthen enforcement against black market labour and boost welfare measures for the elderly, jobless and those in negative equity.
More than half the 20 initiatives to stimulate the economy proposed by the federation in early September had been accepted in the Policy Address, Mr Wong said.
Choi Chun-wa, chairman of the Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees' General Union, said the sharp rise in unemployment was expected to get much worse in the fourth quarter.
'Not many new contracts have been released in the second half of the year while much construction work, like the public housing development in Tin Shui Wai, is in the final stages,' he said. He added the union estimated there were more than 100,000 workers either unemployed or underemployed and wages were on a downward spiral. 'The Government should simplify its procedure of tendering so that more works contracts are tendered out,' he said.
Government economist Tang Kwong-yiu said yesterday the areas worst hit by the downturn had been construction, manufacturing, trading, catering and retail.
Financial Secretary Antony Leung Kam-chung yesterday denied the Government planned to impose a three per cent sales tax after a report in the Sun newspaper said it would do so to boost revenue. Mr Leung said there were 'absolutely no grounds and no factual support to that report'.
Mr Leung will attend two conferences in Beijing next week to get first-hand information on business opportunities for Hong Kong. More than 200 Hong Kong companies will take part in the 5th Beijing-Hong Kong Economic Co-operation Symposium on Tuesday. A symposium on the Olympic Games and city development will also be held.
Graphic: UNEM17GET
