Do not take away $2 subsidy for disabled, union says

The government should maintain the HK$2 fare concession for the disabled, the Hong Kong Blind Union said in its proposal to Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po ahead of the February 26 Budget speech.

The union said the government should first consider adjusting the benefit for able-bodied individuals aged 60 to 64 if adjustments have to be made on the transport subsidy.

There is no room for compromise on the basic living needs of disadvantaged groups, including the visually impaired, the group said, adding that the authorities must not stop providing essential social welfare including cash assistance and subsidies for small and medium-sized nonprofit institutions.

Additionally, the union suggested that the government maintain the levels of various cash subsidies under the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance and the Social Security Allowance schemes,  make adjustments strictly in accordance with changes in the social security assistance index of prices, and sustain the funding provided to social welfare organizations.

Union president Billy Wong Chun-hang said he understands that the government’s expenditure cuts are inevitable.

However, once resources are withdrawn from vulnerable groups, it would be challenging for them to find alternative resources amid the economic downturn.

(Rachael Ng)