More than 1 800 applications have been received from employers in the construction industry for the Employment Support Scheme for the Construction Sector (ESSC) under the second round of the Anti-epidemic Fund. The Construction Industry Council (CIC) is vetting the applications with an aim of starting to disburse subsidies in mid-August.
A spokesman for the Development Bureau said today (August 11), "Application for the ESSC closed on July 31. We noted recently that some employers of casual employees in the industry were informed that their applications for the Employment Support Scheme (ESS) had been rejected due to failure to fulfil the relevant requirements. When they received the notification, application for the ESSC had already closed and they were unable to submit applications in time. We are aware of the situation and if requested by these employers, we will relay their cases to the ESSC for consideration in order to render appropriate assistance to the qualified employers in accordance with our aim of supporting employment as far as possible. The employers concerned must call the CIC at 3199 7377 to make their requests within one month after receiving the 'Not Accepted' notification of the ESS."
The spokesman emphasised that the above arrangement is to assist those employers who should have submitted their applications to the ESSC instead of the ESS. It is not an extension of the application period of the ESSC per se.
The Government has launched two rounds of the Anti-epidemic Fund so far. As of August 9, more than $4.8 billion in subsidies had been disbursed to some 490 000 construction workers and some 19 000 construction-related enterprises. The application deadline for other relief measures for the construction sector under the Anti-epidemic Fund is August 31. Further details are available at the CIC website (www.cic.hk/eng/main/anti_epidemic_fund_2nd/).
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