Carrie Lam Backs Covid Handouts For Cleaners, Guards

Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Saturday backed a call from a lawmaker for pandemic subsidies for frontline clearners and security guards who've faced a heavier workload during the pandemic and found themselves at high risk of contracting Covid-19.

DAB lawmaker Holden Chow had called on the government to provide a HK$1,000 subsidy under the anti-epidemic fund for frontline cleaners and security guards for seven months in recognition of their bravery during the pandemic.

In a Facebook post, Lam said it would be reasonable to give the SAR's 200,000 guards and cleaners more cash in light of the Omicron wave.

Chow made his call after Lam announced on Thursday that the government would ask Legco for an injection into the fund to help affected businesses and individuals.

Speaking at a press conference, Chow said these frontline workers have a heavier workload and are at risk of contracting coronavirus during the Omicron surge

He said the government should offer allowances for them to buy protective equipment and reward them for their contribution during the pandemic.

Chow said the administration had given similar anti-epidemic subsidies to cleaners for seven months in 2020, and it's time to revive the programme.

“What I urge the government is to revive that sort of programme in light of the Omicron outbreak. I believe the government should do that to compensate the cleaning workers,” he said.

A cleaner said some colleagues had chosen not to take up work at virus-hit districts like Kwai Chung and Tsuen Wan during the Omicron outbreak, because they were worried that they might catch the virus and infect their family.

He said some cleaners had earned less as a result, adding that an extra government subsidy could encourage them to continue helping the city.

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