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

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’ concernHot 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