Policy Address

Community Care Fund

57.       Hong Kong has a sound social security system to help our people meet their basic needs.  The Government also heavily subsidises various social services for the benefit of people in need.  Actively engaging the community and the business sector in poverty alleviation will not only demonstrate tripartite collaboration and a readiness to share responsibility, but also bring in new ideas to make our measures more flexible and effective.  This is also the experience of other developed societies.  To encourage the business sector's participation in helping the poor, I have decided to set up a Community Care Fund, to which the Government and the business sector will each contribute $5 billion to support people in need in areas not covered by the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme.  The fund will be chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration.  I will raise funds from the business sector.  The initial response has been positive.  I am confident that the fund can directly benefit many people in need.  The Government will put forward an execution plan after consulting the community.

Legislating for a Minimum Wage

58.       Legislating for a minimum wage to protect low-income workers is a major labour policy that I have advocated during my term of office.  The Minimum Wage Ordinance was passed by this Council in July.  We will submit to this Council the subsidiary legislation on the minimum wage level as soon as possible, and prepare for and publicise the implementation of the legislation.  I expect the statutory minimum wage to come into force in the first half of next year.

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