Make yourself available for work, or have allocations docked, Hong Kong government tells CSSA recipients turning 60
- Eligible people in preretirement age group will have to take part in support for self-reliance scheme or receive HK$200 a month less
- Critics say government should offer incentives to those willing to work rather than punish people who do not
There was another twist on Friday in the saga surrounding an unpopular change in an elderly welfare payment for poorer Hongkongers with the authorities saying those who do not participate in a scheme to find employment will receive HK$200 (US$25.50) less in allocations.
The announcement was made during a briefing by the Social Welfare Department for NGOs involved in the support for self-reliance scheme.
But critics of the move said the government should use incentives to encourage people to look for work rather than penalising those who do not.
The social welfare sector, lawmakers and the public have been at loggerheads with officials since early this month when the government made the controversial announcement to raise the lower age limit for the elderly comprehensive social security assistance (CSSA) scheme from 60 to 65.
Coming into effect on February 1, the change will mean new applicants aged between 60 and 64 and able-bodied will get less at standard rates compared with those 65 or older or those who are disabled or of ill health.
