In this Feb 17, 2020 file photo, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor (right) greets a resident of Tak Tin Estate, Lam Tin, Hong Kong. (PHOTO / INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT OF THE HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

HONG KONG - Support for grassroots families has been voted the most important policy initiative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government in 2019 in a recent poll.

Responding to the results of the poll, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said improving people’s livelihood had always topped the policy agenda of the government

The annual poll, started in 1998, asks the public to select 10 of the most influential policies out of 20 picked by co-organizers that include China Daily and Hong Kong Ta Kung Wen Wei Media Group.

This year, 130,000 took the poll organized with the help of 22 media agencies.  

Responding to the results of the poll, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said improving people’s livelihood had always topped the policy agenda of the government. In the face of the challenging economic situation, the government has proposed to launch more relief measures, she said. 

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In 2019, the HKSAR government introduced a number of initiatives to support grassroots families. These initiatives included making funding available to help families living in sub-divided flats to improve their living environment and offering subsidies for disadvantaged people. Other social benefits include electricity charge subsidies and dole for underage students from low-income families.

In the list of initiatives ranked by voters, public transport subsidies takes second place while raising the Statutory Minimum Wage comes in third. 

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Since Jan 1, 2019, the HKSAR government has provided every resident a 25 per cent rebate on public transport expenses in excess of HK$400. The amount of the subsidy is limited to HK$300.

Starting May 1, 2019, Hong Kong’s Statutory Minimum Wage was raised to HK$37.5 per hour from HK$34.5 per hour.