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■新政府同意香港訂立貧窮線。圖為扶貧委員會籌備小組會見少數族裔。 資料圖片
扶貧委員會籌備小組上月底舉行最後一次會議，同意本港日後訂立貧窮線。新政府同意香港訂立貧窮線，為香港制定扶貧策略跨進一步。不過，政府要制定一個獲廣泛認同而具公信力的貧窮線，不僅需參考國際貧窮線慣例，亦需切合香港，注意本土特色，切實可行，平衡利益。貧窮線只是一個指標，設立貧窮線的重點在於方便政府日後制定更長遠的扶貧政策。政府需加緊研究制定扶貧措施，讓更多貧窮線下的市民得到有效幫助。
政府參考國際慣例訂立貧窮線應切實對應香港實際，避免生搬硬套。例如，參考港人的實際家庭收入和資產分布，分析香港的貧窮人口及背景、貧窮成因等。事實上，一些國家對貧窮的標準和界線各不相同，本港貧窮問題亦涉及經濟轉型、人口政策、人才錯配、政策阻礙基層向上流動等，在香港定得過高或過低，無可避免引起爭議。
政府訂立貧窮線只是扶貧工作的開始，更重要在於制定貧窮線後的脫貧工作。當局需要制定一套長遠的規劃策略，進一步從社會公平、教育、就業支援、社會福利等方面著手，積極探討其他福利措施，全面做好扶貧工作。
Set a poverty line that matches the situation of Hong Kong
The Task Force on the Commission on Poverty held its last meeting at the end of last month and agreed that Hong Kong should set a poverty line in future. The consent of the new government to set a poverty line for Hong Kong is a step forward in formulating strategy on poverty alleviation. However, to establish a poverty line which is generally accepted and credible, the government has to not only take reference from international practices, but also consider the actual situation and characteristics of Hong Kong. The line should be practicable and at the same time able to balance the interests of various parties. The poverty line is merely an indicator; the prime objective of setting up the line is to help the government formulate longer-term poverty alleviation policy in future. It is important that the government speeds up the study on introducing poverty alleviation measures so that more people living below the line will be able to get effective assistance.
While taking reference from international practices in setting the poverty line, the government should pay attention to the actual situation of Hong Kong and avoid simply imposing a foreign standard on Hong Kong without adaptation. For instance, the government should consider the real household income and the asset distribution of the people in Hong Kong, analyze the poor population and their background, and find out the reasons why they fall into poverty. In fact, the definition and demarcation of poverty vary from country to country. The poverty problem in Hong Kong is caused by a number of factors including economic transformation, population policy, talent mismatch and policies blocking upward mobility. A poverty line, either too high or too low, will unavoidably trigger disputes in Hong Kong society.
Setting a poverty line is only the first step in the government's poverty alleviation initiatives. More important is the actual alleviation effort to be undertaken after the line is set. To carry out comprehensive poverty alleviation, the authorities should draft a long-term strategy plan and actively seek out other means of social assistance from different perspectives such as social fairness, education, job placement support and welfare benefits. ■Translation by Tung-ming (tungming23@gmail.com)
逢周五見報
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