The saying “extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures” has been used to justify a series of unconventional steps to contain the fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic. T he use of tens of billions of dollars by the government to secure jobs is a case in point. Over a million workers in the private sector are having part of their wages paid by taxpayers . Essential as it is, better efforts are needed to prevent the Employment Support Scheme from being abused. More queries have been raised after details of the third batch of recipients under the scheme were disclosed earlier this week. Intriguingly, some 150 employers received funds, one up to HK$135,000, even though the headcounts they promised to keep on their payrolls were listed as “zero” on a government website. Officials sought to dispel fears public funds had been misused, saying the zero referred to staff levels at the peak of the outbreak in March. Employers were also required to recruit more workers, or they would have to return their subsidies . Assuring as it sounds, it all depends on whether compliance checks are vigorously carried out. With some 100,000 applications approved, proactive enforcement is difficult. Authorities said 160 random checks had been made, and 38 complaints of abuse received. The figures do seem rather low for a scheme of such a large scale. Eyebrows were also raised when some big companies pocketed tens of millions of dollars under the scheme. This is to be expected after the government opted for a less stringent approach in its attempt to try to secure as many jobs as possible. So far, some HK$26 billion has been awarded to 100,000 employers, covering nearly 1.2 million workers and the self-employed. The fourth batch is now under way. Hopefully, it will help bring stability to the jobs market and the economy amid growing uncertainties caused by the coronavirus pandemic. That said, prudence and accountability are fundamental to the use of public funds. No exception should be made even in the most testing of times, particularly when tens of billions of taxpayers’ dollars are at stake. Authorities must not be seen as condoning abuses while extending support to the needy.