'Govt Offer Is A Face Saving Ploy By Carrie Lam'

Labour Party legislator Fernando Cheung on Friday dismissed a compromise formula on CSSA payments reportedly being offered by the government as a face-saving move by Chief Executive Carrie Lam which won't actually benefit the elderly.

The government, which has been under fire from lawmakers on all sides for changing the eligibility age for the payments to 65, has reportedly offered an extra HK$1,000 per month for 60 to 64-year-olds if they prove they can't find work.

Lam came under fire when she rejected calls by lawmakers not to implement the change, saying it was Legco which passed the rule. This angered the legislators across the party lines.

The Chief Executive is tipped to announce the compromise offer on Friday.

Cheung said the reported new offer is away to escape from the mistake the administration has made.

"This is a face-saving measure rather than a real service to the people in need," the opposition lawmaker said.

He said he hoped Lam would come out and say the government is postponing the measure for a few years and start some pilot projects that can eventually replace CSSA.

The age change from 60 to 65 for eligibility is to become effective from February.