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Author Archives: hksar gov

Transcript of remarks by SLW on “Hong Kong Poverty Situation Report 2018” and social workers’ strike

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, on “Hong Kong Poverty Situation Report 2018” and the social workers’ strike after attending a radio programme this morning (December 16):
 
Reporter: Dr Law, I’ve just got two questions. First of all, now that Hong Kong is expected to be in recession, how worse do you think the poverty situation will get maybe next or the year after? The second question is, tomorrow we learnt that there is going to be another three-day strike plan by the social welfare sector. What’s your view on their action?
 
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: The first part of the question in fact is really indicative of the understanding of the poverty situation that we have released a couple days ago about the situation back in 2018. The figures are very much related to “relative poverty”. In fact, it’s more likely to have an increase in relative poverty when the economy grows. When the economy contracts, there is always a possibility that the relative poverty actually drops. So, it is a matter of relative poverty, but whenever we talk about poverty figures, we tend to always bear in mind that we are talking about “absolute poverty” but in fact we are not. We are talking about relative poverty.
 
     As to the second question related to the welfare sector, people are calling for a strike. Technically it is very difficult to describe it as a strike in legal terms, but definitely people have the right to express their views, particularly their political views. For the Government, it is important to ensure that some of the needed services, particularly those for the disadvantaged, can be maintained and will not be affected. That is our concern. I guess particularly the social workers would abide by their basic code of practice and their action would not affect the welfare of those needy.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) read more

East Asia

Community Oral History Theatre Project in Kowloon City District to be launched

     The latest phase of an ongoing drama initiative that brings local stories from yesterday to today’s stage will be launched next month, when the Community Oral History Theatre Project – Kowloon City District will commence with a theatre demonstration performance and sharing session at 3pm on January 15, 2020 (Wednesday), at Hung Hom Community Hall.
 
     This opening event will introduce oral history theatre to senior citizens and other residents in Kowloon City District, while inviting the elderly from the District to join the project to tell their own stories in similar performances a later date. Admission is free with tickets.

     During the January demonstration performance, an excerpt of a drama production entitled “Sai Kung, Therefore I Live” (in Cantonese) will be performed. Featuring the simple yet original stories of Sai Kung locals, the show will be performed by elderly participants of the Community Oral History Theatre Project – Sai Kung District, who are presenting the current version of the project. During the show the performers will re-enact personal Sai Kung stories that are integral to their lives. After the show they will share their experiences related to joining the project.
 
     Free tickets and seating will be distributed from today (December 16) with a maximum of four tickets per person at the following locations on a first-come, first-served basis:
 
* Yan Chai Hospital Ng Wong Yee Man Neighbourhood Elderly Centre (G/F, 55 Hau Wong Road, Kowloon City);
* Caritas Elderly Centre – Sai Kung (G/F, 69-75 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung);
* Kowloon City Home Affairs Enquiry Centre (LG/F, Kowloon City Government Offices, 42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom);
* Enquiry Counter, Ko Shan Theatre (77 Ko Shan Road, Hung Hom);
* Enquiry Counter, Hong Kong Cultural Centre (10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui); and
* Enquiry Counter, Hong Kong City Hall Low Block (5 Edinburgh Place, Central).
 
     Elderly residents of Kowloon City District interested in performing in this project can complete and return the application form on-site after the demonstration performance. The application form can also be downloaded from the website of the Audience Building Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) (www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/ab/img/pdf/applicationform_kowlooncity.pdf). Completed forms should reach the Office by fax or by post on or before February 14. If the number of applications exceeds the quota, auditions will be arranged to select suitable candidates.
 
     Since its launch in 2009, the Community Oral History Theatre Project has been implemented in several districts, namely Sham Shui Po District, Kwun Tong District, Islands District (Tai O), Eastern District, Sha Tin District, Central and Western District, and is now being run in Sai Kung District. For elderly Kowloon City District participants, a series of workshops offering drama training will be arranged, and their personal experiences and recollections in the District will be compiled and developed into plays, providing an opportunity for them to recount their local stories onstage. The process of turning personal histories into drama fare can also help the younger generation understand the days of their elders and reflect on their own lives.
 
     The project is co-organised by the LCSD, Chung Ying Theatre Company, Yan Chai Hospital Ng Wong Yee Man Neighbourhood Elderly Centre and Caritas Elderly Centre – Sai Kung. 

     Hung Hom Community Hall is located at UG/F & 1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices, 42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom. For enquiries, please call 2591 1300 (LCSD), 8106 8336 (Chung Ying Theatre Company), 2718 8331 (Yan Chai Hospital Ng Wong Yee Man Neighbourhood Elderly Centre) or 2792 6205 (Caritas Elderly Centre – Sai Kung), or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/ab/en/OH_details_kowlooncity.php read more

East Asia