Hong Kong government handout scheme garners more than 3.2 million applications and unions say more hands are needed to process them
- The three-month window to apply for the HK$4,000 sum closed on Tuesday
- Unions say staff have had to work overtime to process the applications and at least 20 have quit
More than 3.2 million Hongkongers had applied for the government’s HK$4,000 (US$510) handout when the three-month application window closed on Tuesday, prompting trade unions to call for a manpower boost to handle the massive workload.
Unionists said the clerks hired for the cash handout scheme had to work long hours to process the hundreds of forms and inquiry calls every day. At least 20 have quit.
The scheme, which was announced in March last year after intense political and public backlash against the government budget, allows Hong Kong residents aged 18 or over to get up to HK$4,000 if they do not own property or benefit from government allowances.
Those who are entitled to tax breaks will get the difference between HK$4,000 and the concessionary amount.
A spokesman for Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau said the Caring and Sharing Scheme had received more than 3.2 million applications as of Monday.
