Coronavirus: Hong Kong’s opposition lawmakers threaten to vote against government’s HK$137.5 billion relief package

Democratic Party, Civic Party, Labour Party and Council Front vow to oppose package, though they have no veto power as the minority in the legislature

Legislators from across the political spectrum demand help for the jobless, as well as elderly and freelance workers

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A woman and a child don face protection amid Hong Kong’s coronavirus outbreak. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Published: 1:55pm, 17 Apr 2020Updated: 11:12pm, 17 Apr 2020

Hong Kong’s opposition lawmakers have threatened to vote against the government’s proposed relief package, saying many workers and businesses would miss out on support measures amid the economic storm unleashed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

They expressed their stance on Friday as the Legislative Council’s Finance Committee started a 12-hour meeting to discuss the HK$137.5 billion (US$18 billion) package.

Parties in the opposition camp – including the Democratic Party, Civic Party, Labour Party and Council Front – vowed to oppose the package, though they had no veto power as the minority in the legislature.

Wu Chi-wai, chairman of the Democratic Party, said: “We are not against a package to relieve residents of the economic woes brought about by the pandemic. We are deeply disappointed that the measures ignored the jobless and many businesses.

“Even if it’s approved with the support of the pro-establishment camp, people’s discontent will continue to pile up.”

The package needs a majority in the house to pass. There are 23 pan-democrats in Legco, against 43 pro-establishment legislators.