Julitta Li (17)Erica Liu (18)

What is poverty??

Poverty – have a difficult condition which people cannot afford basic daily needs.

widest income

inequality

Current situation in Hong Kong

From the News:- 850000 people in poverty in 2009- weak economic and employment conditions- government strategy on alleviating poverty was not working-Gross domestic product had grown while poverty had worsened

Table from report

Current situation in Hong Kong

Cheapest form of housing – cage homes

Factors contributing to the widening wealth gap

1. Transformation of economy2. 1997 Asian financial crisis economic recession till 20033. Capitalist city – free market principle imbalance allocation of resources4. Mainland immigrants via cross-border

marriage

CASE - Tin Shui Wai ““ Social time bomb””i. Highest poverty rateii. High rate of domestic violenceiii. High rate of child abuse

** 60% of residents are recent immigrants

Vicious cycle

Vicious cycle

TIN SHUI WAI

Problems arise

Social and economic challenges

LEADS TO Intergenerational poverty (Poverty induced by the socially or economically

challenged background of a person’s parents.)

. Constrained development of children . . Facing difficulties into adulthood .

The Government has done….

1. Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme

AIM : provide subsidy to poor meet daily needsBUT…~ only lessen no. of citizens below breadline~ not narrowing the wealth gap

The Government has done….

2. Distance Support Scheme (Distance Cash Assistant)

AIM:: provide subsidies for children’s development needs

BUT…~ not sufficient subsidies ($1500/month)~ narrow scoop of subsidized items

Citizens’ concern

Hot debate on minimum wage legislation

Minimum wage

may set below

$20

HAHAHA !!Ridiculous

Tommy Cheung, Legislative Councilor-elect of the Catering Functional Constituency

Our suggestions – LONG term measures –

1. Education and Training ~ Equipped workers have a better paying-

career 2. Implementation of the social enterprises

programme ~ More job opportunities will be provided

Conclusion

Hong Kong has the extreme disparity between the rich and the poor.

Government SHOULD :: More efforts on business sectorAllocate more public money and resources on social welfareProvide adequate support to the poor