SOSC 103D Social Inequality in HK

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SOSC 103DSocial Inequality in HK

• Lecture 12 Poor People in HK

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Who are the poor people in HK?

• Unemployed people
• Aged people, Single parents, and
• Those who suffer from chronic illness
• The working poor
• Unskilled labour, Contract workers
• What are their living conditions in HK?
• How are they being protected by the social
  welfare/ social security system?
• Public and social attitudes towards them?

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The working poor

• Long working hours
• security guide 12 hours/ day
• cleansing workers 10.2 hours/ day
• Low income
• Cleansing workers 3,600/ month (12-15/ hour)
• Contracted-out workers
• E.g. work in public toilets (5,300-5,900)

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The contracted-out workers

• Short-term employment
• 6 months, 1 months, 1 week, 1 day/ 1 night
• Intensive and heavy workload
• Lack of legal protection
• Wage reduction
• Holidays
• MPF
• Insurance

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Common characteristics

• Low education and limited skills
• Weak social network
• Unstable and low household income
• Lack of bargaining power
• In terms of income and other benefits
• Choice between keeping the low income job or
  applying for social assistance

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Alternative?

• CSSA (Comprehensive Social Security Assistance
  Scheme)
• Assets limits (cash, savings, investments, real
  properties, and other realizable assets)

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CSSA

• Standard Rate (for family)
• E.g. 1400115012801280 5,110/month

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Role of Government

• Social welfare?
• Limit the number of outsourcing in governmental
  projects and services?
• Better implementation of the laws and policies?
• Legislating other protective laws for labour?