CTU says money not reaching those in need

The Confederation of Trade Unions on Monday said money was not reaching those hit hard by the lack of work caused by the pandemic. At a press conference in Yau Ma Tei, ahead of next week’s budget, it called for a raft of measures from the government that would support the unemployed and underemployed.

“No matter whether it is the epidemic fund from the government, or the MPF money by the workers themselves, none of this money has been able to reach the people in need,” said Carol Ng, the chairwoman of the confederation.

The CTU’s main demand is for the government to provide those, who have lost their jobs or have been forced to take unpaid leave, with 80 percent of their lost income, capped at HK$16,000, for six months.

She pointed out that the government’s previous rounds of financial support went into the accounts of businesses, while workers who had been sacked had part of their severance package cut under MPF offsetting mechanism, which allowed employers to deduct their pension contributions from such payments.

Terry Chung, a kitchen worker, also spoke at the press conference. He said he had been unemployed since June and had been relying on his own savings.

“It’s very painful, my bank account only has HK$200 or HK$300 for a few months and I can only have bread for meals,” Chung said.

He said he wasn’t eligible for the government’s safety net Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme because his family’s assets were too high.

“My family members are still employed, but that doesn’t not mean that they can support me,” Chung said.

The union also called on the Financial Secretary Paul Chan to give cash handouts of HK$10,000 in his budget.

“This is the soonest and quickest way to resolve all the citizens’ cash requirements or cash needs, and it is the time to do it,” said Ng.