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■2011年加風四起，中電港燈已開始加價，對電費佔成本比例重的燈飾店構成沉重壓力。資料圖片
去年香港經濟雖然復甦，但復甦成果惠及基層勞工不多，有些基層勞工去年未能獲得加薪，即使加薪，幅度亦較通脹率為低，僱員薪酬無疑被通脹蠶食。基層市民的工資升幅跟不上通脹，導致實質工資下降變相減薪，令在職貧窮問題不斷惡化。面對新年加風四起，通脹壓力繼續上升，當局坐擁豐厚盈餘儲備，除了推出紓困措施外，更應研究設立入息津貼等長遠機制，援助基層市民生計。同時，在職貧窮問題源於本港產業結構偏重金融地產，其他產業嚴重萎縮所致，當局應大力發展高增值新產業，收窄貧富差距。
踏入2011年，本港加風四起，中電港燈已經開始加價，大欖隧道、大老山隧道相繼實行新收費；交通工具近期接連申請加價，其中九巴及龍運巴士早前分別申請加價8.6%和7.4%，市區、新界和大嶼山的士申請將起表價加2元，12年未嘗加價的電車亦提出了加價申請，加上各種食物及原材料價格近年不斷攀升，這一輪加風遍及市民的衣食住行。當局在今個財政年度首8個月共錄得172億元的盈餘，政府財務狀況轉虧為盈，財政儲備更高達5,375億元，絕對有能力和有必要對基層市民施以援手。同時，當局應完善本港的產業結構，培育經濟增長點，為市民創造更多職位，才是紓緩在職貧窮的治本之道。
Inflation hurts livelihood and the grassroots need support most
Although the Hong Kong economy recovered last year, the workforce from the grassroots did not benefit very much from the fruit of recovery. Some grassroots workers did not even get a pay rise last year; and for those who got a pay rise, the percentage of increase was lower than the rate of inflation. Obviously, inflation has been nibbling away the income of employees. Since the increase in wages could not catch up with the rate of inflation, the real income earned by employees was practically reduced, tantamount to a de facto pay cut. This has further aggravated the working poor problem. In light of prevalent price rises and increasing pressure of inflation in the year ahead, the government, having maintained a large budget surplus and financial reserves, should consider, on top of introducing alleviation measures, establishing long-term mechanisms like income support to help the grassroots make ends meet. The working poor problem stems from the fact that the Hong Kong industrial structure puts too much emphasis on financial and property sectors while other industries suffer from severe declines. The government should therefore put in strong efforts to foster new industries of high added values and to lessen polarization between the rich and the poor.
Entering 2011, Hong Kong has seen price rises from various sectors. The China Light & Power and the Hongkong Electric have started to charge higher fees. The Tai Lam Tunnel and the Tate's Cairn Tunnel have used new tolls. Lately, public transport companies have also applied for fare increases one after another. The Kowloon Motor Bus and the Long Win services earlier asked for a fare increase of 8.6% and 7.4% respectively. At the same time, Urban, New Territories and Lantau taxis applied for a HK$2 increase for the first two kilometers. Besides, the tram service, which has not raised its fare for the past 12 years, has also submitted an application for a fare increase. Together with the frequent price rises in food and raw materials in recent years, the current inflationary trend has an impact on all aspects of everyday life, including clothing, dining, accommodation and transportation. The government, having turned its deficit around and recorded a HK$17.2 billion budget surplus in the first eight months of this fiscal year, and having financial reserves standing at a high level of HK$537.5 billion, definitely can and must lend a helping hand to the grassroots. Furthermore, the authorities should optimize the industrial structure of Hong Kong, nurture more growth areas of the economy and create more jobs for the people. This is the real cure for the root of the working poor problem. ■Translation by 開明
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