IN the fourth debate in three years on old age pensions, legislators yesterday adopted a moderate response to the Government's scheme.
Members endorsed an amended motion - by 26 votes to 22 - put forward by the Liberal Party's James Tien Pei-chun, urging the Government to seriously consider alternatives to the scheme.
The amendment followed a private motion put forward by the labour representative, Tam Yiu-chung, which stated that 'the Government has to assume greater financial responsibility for the old age pension scheme' by being the third contributor, in addition to employers and employees.
The motion led to a long debate on the need for a welfare scheme, a central provident fund or a protection scheme for the elderly.
The Democratic Party tabled an amendment by Lau Chin-shek supporting the planned scheme.
It further affirmed that the Government should undertake not less than one-third of the total contribution and should raise the standard rate under the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme to $2,300.
The adopted amendment raised by Mr Tien was aimed at rejecting Mr Tam's suggestion that the government scheme was the only one and that all refinements should be based on that scheme.