Government Defends Deductions Under Welfare Scheme

The administration on Saturday defended a welfare arrangement that penalises those who don’t participate in a scheme to help able-bodied recipients find work.

Under the self-reliance scheme, those who collect Comprehensive Social Security Assistance payments are required to meet a social worker every two months to help them find a job.

Failing to do so will see HK$200 deducted from their monthly CSSA payments.

The scheme has always applied to welfare recipients aged between 15 and 59, but will now also apply to those aged 60 to 64, after the lower age limit for elderly CSSA recipients was raised to 65.

Critics say the requirements and deductions are mean, and uncaring.

But Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung has defended the scheme, saying the arrangement has always been there.

He said the deduction aims to encourage recipients to find jobs in a “humane and considerate” way. He added the government would also be encouraging employers to hire people aged 60 to 64.

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Law Chi-kwong, also defended the scheme. He described the requirements under the scheme as minimal, and the deduction as “nominal and symbolic”.