Budget Fund Won't Solve Ethnic Minority Woes: DAB

The pro-government DAB party said on Tuesday that the budget provision to 'strengthen support' for ethnic minorities in Hong Kong is unlikely to improve their lot and has called on the government to do more.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan in his budget had earmarked HK$500 million for the welfare of ethnic minorities and said a steering committee led by the Chief Secretary will also be set up to coordinate work for supporting them.

But legislator Ann Chiang said the allotted fund will not do much to improve the condition of ethnic minorities as it is an one-off fund. "It's just enough for them to do some research or to fund a few projects. That's it," she said.

Chiang said the government should introduce policies like giving employers who hire ethnic minority employees an allowance during their probation period.

"All they ask for is 'give me a chance'," she said.

Activists say many non-Chinese people in Hong Kong are denied equal access to education and jobs, pushing them into economic hardship.