A Government spokesman said today (May 4) that the Government has been making use of the Anti-epidemic Fund to provide allowances to eligible cleansing and security workers engaged by service contractors of the Government and the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA). The first round of funding, which is the allowance for March, amounted to some $60 million, benefiting some 60 000 workers of over 340 contractors.
Under the measure of the Fund, front-line cleansing workers, toilet attendants and security workers employed by the service contractors can receive a monthly allowance of $1,000 for a period of no fewer than four months throughout the epidemic period. Eligible workers who have performed duties in March 2020 have received the $1,000 allowance applicable to that month. Arrangements have been made for the April allowance to be issued concurrently with the salary of that month.
The Government spokesman indicated that front-line workers are not required to submit any application for the allowance. On a monthly basis, procuring departments of the Government and the HA will obtain the headcount of eligible recipients of the allowance from their contractors; relevant funding will be transferred through the contractors to the workers concerned. The departments and the HA have entered into agreements with their contractors to ensure that the latter transfer the allowance to eligible workers. Front-line workers with enquiries may contact their contractors or the relevant departments.
The allowance aims to provide financial support to cleansing and security staff engaged by government and HA service contractors in anti-epidemic efforts, and gives recognition for their committed services at this critical juncture.
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