This year's Policy Address pledges to focus on poverty. It has been suggested that a poverty relief taskforce be set up to address concerns and safeguard the welfare of low-income families. Hong Kong's wealth gap is widening. The appropriate policy, and resources, are urgently needed. Our grass-roots workforce has contributed significantly to our economic growth and prosperity. But what have they got in return?
Depriving them of work opportunities while perpetuating market dominance and inequitable monopolies, our government has destroyed any remaining hope of deliverance for the thousands of jobless and dependent families. In other words, present government policies are robbing the poor to provide for the rich.
Take supermarkets as an example. The two largest chains are opening more and more branches, and ever-grander superstores. The range of products and services has gone beyond food, toiletries and daily necessities to include books, stationery, lighting, furniture, clothing, toys, computers and even mobile phones.
In the future, they may encroach on other businesses, such as hairdressers, home decoration, domestic-helper employment and travel agencies. What social impact will this expanding market dominance have on the small local retailers? At the moment, there are minimal regulations and little public protest over the price of food and other daily necessities. We are all at the mercy of the supermarket chains. Those on a low-income, or the unemployed, are the first to suffer from higher living costs.
How can small retailers and shopkeepers compete with the giant operators? Why has our government, and our politicians, turned a blind eye to the unfair monopolies and market dominance?
Poverty relief is cursed by policies that continue to rob the poor of equal opportunities. People-based governance is nothing but a sweetener. Is there more we can do to remove this curse?