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Tsang vows to boost social welfare services in HK
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-10-12 14:22
Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Wednesday vowed to
enhance the development of welfare services in a bid to foster harmony in the
community.
The Hong Kong chief said while delivering the annual policy address that to
foster harmony in the community requires the concerted efforts of the government
and all sectors of the community.
The chief executive said the government would not turn blind eyes to social
issues including employment difficulties for workers with low academic
qualifications and skills, declining pay levels in certain professions, and
adaptability problems for some new arrivals from the Chinese mainland.
The disadvantaged groups deserve appropriate care, said Tsang.
He added that the government will continue its partnership with the social
welfare sector and endeavor to promote the development of welfare services.
He detailed that the government has, through the Community Investment and
Inclusion Fund and the Partnership Fund for the Disadvantaged, supported various
projects, and actively promoted partnership with the business community, the
social welfare sector and community organizations.
To further address the poverty problem, said Tsang, the government has set up
the Commission on Poverty to co-ordinate relevant policies and implement
district-based poverty alleviation measures.
He said the government will keep helping people capable of work to move from
welfare to self-reliance.
The government will continue to implement various social policies, including
mobilizing the strengths of the community to provide an opportunity for healthy
and balanced development for our children and youth, Tsang said.
He added that the government will continue to provide extra support to
children and youth of poor families or with special needs, to ensure they have a
proper opportunity to develop.
The government will also continue to study the needs of the ethnic minorities
and render appropriate assistance, said the chief executive.
"We will strengthen community support services to people with disabilities
and their families," Tsang stated.
He said the government will provide severely disabled people, including
tetraplegia patients, with transitional residence, day training, nursing and
support services.
For the disabled residents in rehabilitation facilities, said Tsang, the
government will introduce a new scheme for visiting doctors to take care of
their medical needs.
The government has strived to provide the aged residents
with a more pleasant social environment, said Tsang.
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