Pointer on Hong Kong retirement scheme expected within a year
But Chief Secretary Carrie Lam warns public will have to wait until next administration before any action is taken on the issue
The government hopes to set a policy direction for the city’s retirement protection scheme before its current term ends next year, according to Chief Secretary Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor.
But Hongkongers would have to wait for the next government to implement it, Lam said on Monday.
The administration is undertaking a public engagement exercise on retirement protection until June 21.
After the exercise, views collected will be consolidated and analysed by an independent consultant commissioned by the government. It is expected a report will be submitted to the Commission on Poverty for further consideration by the end of the year.
Commenting on the 900 submissions the government has received since the launch of the consultation last December, Lam said there were big differences between various parties.
“I hope these differences can be settled,” said Lam, adding the government was willing to play a role.
On whether the government would consider suggestions made by political parties, such as the introduction of unemployment insurance benefits, the official said the administration had yet to carry out a thorough study of it. “But we are willing to explore any options,” Lam said.
“We very much hope to be able to set a policy direction for future retirement protection in Hong Kong within this term of the government,” she said.
But she noted implementation would be left to the next government, whose term starts in July next year.
Lam also announced the expansion of a safety net for the needy following a meeting of the Poverty Commission.
Under an assistance programme of the Community Care Fund, teenage girls from eligible low-income families will be given free cervical cancer vaccinations.
To further promote the employment of those with disabilities, the commission endorsed the implementation of a pilot scheme to raise the threshold of a means-tested benefit scheme for disabled workers.
The body also endorsed the implementation of a pilot scheme to provide subsidies for the severely disabled to hire carers. Those eligible will receive HK$5,000 per month.
Higher allowances will also be given to carers of low-income elderly people. A monthly allowance of HK$2,000 will be given to an eligible carer and a maximum of HK$4,000 to those looking after more than one disabled person.
Around 36,000 people from underprivileged families are poised to benefit from these measures, which are worth HK$290 million.
