Hong Kong’s leader to offer more money to elderly after lawmakers revolt over welfare change
- Extra allowance expected to be set at HK$1,060 per month from February
- Motion calling for U-turn on controversial CSSA change passes city’s often-divided legislature by 51 votes to two
Hong Kong’s embattled leader will announce compensatory financial assistance for the elderly on Friday as she faces the biggest political crisis of the new year over her controversial plan to increase the age threshold for their welfare payments.
The extra allowance is expected to be set at HK$1,060 (US$136) per month from February 1 – the exact difference between the rates of HK$2,525 for adults and HK$3,585 for those aged 65 and above under the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) scheme.
Lawmakers across the political divide voted in favour of the non-binding motion 51-2, urging Lam to shelve her decision to increase the minimum age from 60 to 65 for elderly CSSA recipients.
Adding to Lam’s woes, members of her own cabinet in the Legislative Council joined in the chorus of condemnation and voted against her.
Sources who attended Lam’s meeting with her estranged political allies revealed she was willing to offer additional allowances during a transition period to help new CSSA applicants aged 60 to 64, but she refused to back down on the policy change itself.
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Among her political allies who broke with tradition to vote against Lam were New People’s Party chairwoman Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee and Federation of Trade Unions lawmaker Wong Kwok-kin.
Ip said it was unfair of Lam to point out that lawmakers themselves had approved the policy change in last year’s budget bill, as it should have been flagged for proper consultation and a vote.
She was also dissatisfied with Secretary for Labour and Welfare Dr Law Chi-kwong’s response to the legislature.
“I was really dismayed by Law’s comment that the implementation is unlikely to be changed,” Ip said. “I think it is most unfair to us and the elderly people affected.”
But Law, speaking in Legco just before the motion was passed, suggested lawmakers opposing the policy were basing their arguments on myths.
Opposition pan-democrat lawmakers later said they had yet to hear from Lam after the vote. They issued a joint statement condemning the government for failing to reach out to them.
Officials announced last Monday that the eligibility age for elderly CSSA payments would change from February 1.
In his speech, Law disputed the idea that senior citizens would be more prone to fatigue and injury, suggesting instead that these Hongkongers were in fact keeping themselves healthier than their peers by staying active in the workplace.
Although the motion is non-binding, it is loud and clear with wide support across political parties
“Many workers have a younger physical age than those [of the same age] who don’t do physical work,” he said.
Law also reiterated that the policy change was not to save money, but to reflect the city’s rising life expectancy.
When the welfare payments were initiated in 1971, life expectancy for men and women was 68 and 75, respectively. But it had since increased to 82 and 88, he noted.
During the motion debate, Leung Che-cheung, of the largest pro-establishment party, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, said the government’s handling of the issue had been infuriating.
He accused officials of ignoring public opinion, evading proper scrutiny by Legco, and remaining rigid despite fierce opposition. Others echoed his criticism.
The motion, raised by social welfare representative Shiu Ka-chun, was to urge the government to review the entire CSSA system. Pan-democrats Au Nok-hin and Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung raised amendments demanding the government shelve the new policy.
Leung raised his own amendments, demanding the age be kept at 60, among other policy suggestions.
All amendments, including another two raised by pan-democrats, were passed. The motion was eventually approved 51-2, while four legislators abstained.
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On the sidelines of the Legco meeting, Cheung said: “Although the motion is non-binding, it is loud and clear with wide support across political parties. We feel infuriated with Law’s totally irresponsible response … The government will be an enemy of the people if it fails to listen and forces it through.”
Shiu said he was disappointed by Law’s “heartless” speech. He and Cheung planned to send Lam a letter requesting a meeting and demanding a halt to the policy change.
Lam earlier provoked anger among some in the pro-establishment camp by expressing shock and using sarcasm in response to their opposition.
One lawmaker said it had ruined their relationship with the chief executive.
“We have to maintain a good relationship with the government, but Lam just doesn’t treat us as part of her alliance,” he added.
He said all lawmakers and district councillors of the party were under pressure, especially after Lam’s remarks appeared to be shifting the blame to them.
In a dual blow to Lam, two major pro-establishment parties have also had made it clear, as a consequence, that they will vote against her plan to adjust tolls to ease congestion at the cross-harbour tunnels.
Additional reporting by Peace Chiu and Sum Lok-kei
