Hong Kong – Temporary Unemployment Relief Scheme concluded
Temporary Unemployment Relief Scheme concluded
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The Government has completed the processing of all applications under the Temporary Unemployment Relief Scheme (the Scheme). Among the 470 000 applications received, up to 350 000 applicants have been granted the subsidies, which far exceed the original estimate of 300 000 beneficiaries. Total subsidies granted amount to $3.5 billion.
The Government last issued a press release about the Scheme on June 24 to remind applicants to submit requests for review on or before July 8. Of the 30 690 requests received by the deadline, some 27 500 applications were granted subsidies after review (included in the above 350 000 approved cases), and the decision to reject was upheld for about 3 190 applications. The Government has competed the vetting and review of all cases, and the results of final review have been notified to applicants concerned.
The Government has adopted a lenient approach throughout the vetting and review process by exercising discretion to approve appropriate cases. For example, approval has been given for cases that are only one or two days short of the 30-day “unemployment” or “suspended from work” requirements, and cases where applicants have been engaged in casual work during the unemployment period, so long as all other requirements are met. We have also calculated the income in the fourth quarter of 2021 in a manner advantageous to applicants to help them meet the income threshold as far as possible.
In addition, the information from many applicants has been incomplete. In order to enable as many eligible applicants as possible to receive subsidies, the government-appointed agents have used different means, including e-mails, SMSs or telephone calls, to reach out to applicants to request supplementary information during the vetting and review process.
Among the some 120 000 applications that have not been approved under the above lenient arrangements (including those that have been reviewed), the reasons for rejection and the number of cases are as follows:
| Reason for rejection | Number of cases (As a share of all applications) |
| 1. Information of the application could not prove the eligibility of the applicant (e.g. no proof of unemployment or suspension of work was provided; application information could not prove that the workplace is a selected premises restricted under Cap. 599F; no contact information of the employer, person-in-charge of the workplace or customers was provided; the supplementary information provided contradicted the information on the application form or Mandatory Provident Fund records, etc.) |
47 800 (10.2%) |
| 2. The monthly income from October to December 2021 did not fall between $2,700 and $30,000 |
34 500 (7.3%) |
| 3. Claimed to have been requested not to work temporarily by the employer, but the workplace is not a selected premises restricted under Cap. 599F |
16 800 (3.6%) |
| 4. The number of days of unemployment/suspension of work is less than the requirement when submitting the application (the Government has already exercised discretion in approving cases in which unemployment/suspension of work only lasted for 28 or 29 days) |
14 300 (3.0%) |
| 5. Resigned/stopped work on personal grounds or own accord; or other reasons (e.g. not meeting the requirement of having worked in Hong Kong for at least one month between October and December 2021) |
4 300 (0.9%) |
| 6. The applicant is a recipient of the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme, or a beneficiary of the specified measures under the sixth round Anti-epidemic Fund |
2 300 (0.5%) |
The above-mentioned rejected cases include some applicants who were found to have breached the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme identified during sample checking. The Government will deal with these non-compliant cases in a serious manner. If an applicant after being granted the subsidy is found to be ineligible, or to have breached any other Terms and Conditions of the Scheme, including making misrepresentations on his/her employment status or income level, the Government will demand the applicant to return the subsidy. The Government has notified these applicants in batches and demanded a clawback of subsidies disbursed. The Police has also lately taken action on 39 fraud cases where the suspects have provided false information when applying for the Scheme.
The Scheme is a targeted, temporary measure to provide a one-off subsidy of $10,000 to low-to-middle persons who have lost their jobs due to the fifth wave of the epidemic and tightening of social distancing measures to reduce their financial stress before they find another job.
The Government announced the launch of the Scheme on February 8 and applied for funding from the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council on February 15. The Government then announced on March 18 to relax the eligibility criteria to include those who were currently employed in the premises regulated under the Cap. 599F that have suspended operation, or catering premises whose operations have either been suspended or restricted, and have been requested not to work temporarily. The Scheme was opened for application from March 23 to April 12. With the completion of the vetting and review of applications, the hotline (183 6128) and email enquiry@tur.gov.hk have ceased to operate.
“Convergence” dance performance staged in Singapore celebrates HKSAR 25th anniversary (with photos)
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CE visits Sham Shui Po to gauge views on Policy Address (with photos)
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San José, Costa Rica – WEBWIRE – Saturday, July 30, 2022 According to a report by a prominent blockchain analytics firm, cryptocurrency adoption increased more than 2,300% in the second quarter of 2021. This is more than the global third quarter, and more than 881% over last year. These variations indicate that adoption is a worldwide phenomenon. However, the report says that its not clear how much the adoption rate will increase on existing platforms, particularly when compared to the newer ones. Angelo Babb, an expert in cryptocurrency, provides an analysis on why cryptocurrencies are so valuable.
A leading firm used a method that allowed it to rank 154 nations by combining three metrics: on-chain cryptocurrency amount, on-chain retail value transfer and volume of peer-to-peer (P2P) trading. All three metrics are weighted according to purchasing power parity (PPP) per capita. In addition, the volume P2P exchange trade volume is weighted according to the number of Internet users. This methodology and the improvements made to last years report allow for a better understanding of decentralized finance (DeFi).
Babb points out, The increase in adoption in North America and Western Europe over the last year is due to institution investment as adopting this asset class has proven compelling with many crypto prices reaching record highs during the first quarter. Emerging markets, on the other hand, see cryptocurrency as a way for them to save their money in the face of currency devaluation and to send and receive trade transactions and remittances.
P2P exchanges are another important driver of cryptocurrency adoption. Many emerging countries, such as Kenya, Nigeria and Vietnam that are high up in the reports index (including Venezuela), use P2P to gain access to cryptocurrencies. They are often unable or unwilling to access centralized exchanges. Based on data from the report, Babb states that Central and South Asia and Latin America send more web traffic than regions with larger economies like West Europe and East Asia.
P2P platforms are more popular than centralized exchanges and merchant services. They have a larger share of total transaction volume, consisting of smaller payments (less than $10,000), very few professional transactions and no institutional transactions.
The rankings of China and the US have dropped significantly in comparison to last year. Their rankings in P2P trading volume weighted by the number of people using the Internet decreased dramatically, particularly when compared to other parts.
The downward trend in rankings began in June 2020. The report suggests that Chinas regulatory crackdown could be one reason, while institutional investors in the US may also have contributed to this trend.
Babb adds, The next 12 months will determine whether or not the adoption rate continues and, if so, which platforms it will use. P2P exchanges may be preferred in emerging countries, but innovations in the DeFi space could provide new ways for the crypto industry to bank the unbanked.
The increasing interest in Bitcoin (BTC) by corporations and institutions, could lead to new uses. This would be a significant step in the development of a new financial ecosystem with more potential than just speculative. This would be a major economic shift.
Digital currencies are undoubtedly one of the most important financial innovations of recent years. Digital currencies are assets that arent tied to any countrys economy or politics and ensure the security of all transactions. These technological advancements would be impossible to incorporate into conventional banking. It would mean that you could provide a financial service without intermediaries.
This reality is all around the world, though there are some regions where it is more difficult than in North American or European countries. All regions are able to access cryptocurrencies and the potential that they have.
About Angelo Babb
Angelo Babb Reid is legal cryptocurrency and blockchain consultant who helps new and established organizations strengthen their interaction with digital assets. A certified lawyer and Scrum Master, he works with all categories of enterprises to ensure cryptocurrency endeavors substantially fulfill their obligations. When hes not reinforcing his education in the cryptocurrency and blockchain spaces, Babb enjoys relaxing on the beach with his family.
Québec, Canada – WEBWIRE – Saturday, July 30, 2022 In a changing and dynamic business environment, finding a leader who dares to take risks and thinks ahead can be the key to success. This is what transformational leadership is all about. Allen Woo, a specialist in optimizing the work environment, explains why a transformational leader can be a key player in improving the workplace.
Transformational leadership is a method designed to foster change and creativity. It is a process that seeks to influence, guide and direct the members of a company to follow their leader voluntarily. The key lies in the commitment to achieve business objectives.
The role of the leader within companies has been essential to ensure the effectiveness and smooth running of all areas of the company. The leader is in charge of guiding the whole team in the same direction in order to achieve the set objectives together.
Traditionally, the leader has been understood as a boss, but paradigms have changed, and theorists and companies are looking for a new style of leadership, explains Woo. This new leader must be able to transform the companys philosophy toward new and more effective ways of thinking.
The transformational leader must not only drive change, but also sow the seeds of reasoning in his or her team so that everyone can understand the decisions being made within the company. This involves, for example, implementing career and job training plans.
The figure of the leader must be understood as an example to follow and an inspiration for the team to improve day by day and dare to face new challenges. The whole group must feel that they are in a highly motivating and stimulating environment, which is directly inspired by the figure and attitude of the leader in the work environment.
The performance of the workers increases notably, since they tend to do their best to achieve the objectives proposed by the leader and by the organization in general. Having a high rate of inspiration and motivation on the part of the leaders makes the team capable of responding to the needs of the organizations, which tend to be increasingly complex.
The workforce significantly increases its flexibility and therefore adapts better to change and works effectively under high levels of pressure. Transformational leadership has a positive impact on employee self-esteem as the leaders motivation makes employees feel more self-confident and more aware of their value as assets within the company they are part of, says Woo.
Hunger for knowledge and continuous curiosity should be the two main characteristics of a transformational leader. Therefore, training plans are key, both to improve the leaders figure and to implement them among his or her team in order to keep moving forward into the future.
Words and actions must go hand in hand so that consistency is present in all the decisions we make, suggests Woo. If you want your team to bet on innovation, the leader must be the first to step forward and take the risk to take this path.
To help you on this tough road of team leadership, several platforms offer HR indicators suitable to shed enough light on where you are going, so you can measure the key aspects of each department. The ultimate goal of transformational leadership is to get employees to follow the leaders lead to improve and move forward. Taking risks and facing potential failures are part of the road to success.
Transforming a company, no matter how flexible, is a long, slow process that must be pursued and kept in mind. The present does matter, but decisions must be made by thinking about where you want to go.
The transformational leader must trust in the capabilities of the people under his command. Knowing each employee is key to fostering their skills and helping them to give their best. Trust must be palpable for your team, that is, you must make sure, as a leader, to transmit to your team that you believe in them 100%.
About Allen Woo
Allen Woo is a self-taught expert in business and personnel management. Originally from Canada, he has spent much of his adult life honing his innate skills in motivation and personal growth. Woo dedicates his time to helping businesses and individuals make significant improvements in their daily interactions, constantly exploring new methods to motivate and enhance teams. When hes away from responsibilities, he likes to focus on inner growth and enjoys outdoor activities that exercise the body and the mind.
Hong Kong – “Convergence” dance performance staged in Singapore celebrates HKSAR 25th anniversary (with photos)
In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore (Singapore ETO) presented a dance performance, “Convergence: A Dialogue in Dance between Hong Kong and Singapore”, at the National Museum of Singapore today (July 30).
Featuring Hong Kong Dance Company (HKDC) and Singapore’s Maya Dance Theatre (MDT), the event adopted a hybrid format, combining the display of a collaborative dance film, a virtual live dialogue session with representatives of Hong Kong Dance Company, as well as an in-person performance by MDT, which was well-received by an audience of more than 200.
The collaborative dance film was the result of a two-month co-creation process between HKDC and MDT that took place online in a series of workshops, practices and reflections, as MDT learned elements of Chinese martial arts from HKDC and re-interpreted them in Indian classical dance known as Bharatanatyam.
The idea of the event originated from HKDC’s online dance production “Convergence” in 2020 that blended Chinese martial arts with Chinese dance, after dancers had learned three styles of Chinese martial arts, namely Hung Kuen, Choy Lay Fut and Fujian White Crane during a three-year immersive study. Inspired by the success of the dance production, HKDC debuted the piece overseas to observe the synergy when a foreign dance group absorbed elements of Chinese martial arts in its own particular dance genre.
Speaking at the opening of the event, the Director of the Singapore ETO, Mr Wong Chun To, said the name “Convergence” embodies the ethos and cultural identity of Hong Kong people, a spirit accommodating various cultures while constantly seeking to innovate and absorb new ideas. “This echoes Hong Kong’s role under the National 14th Five-Year Plan as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange,” he added.
He highlighted that Hong Kong has been holding an array of art festivals celebrating different cultures, including French May Arts Festival and New Vision Arts Festival. The city also welcomes artists worldwide to join major art fairs such as Art Basel in Hong Kong, Art Central and Ink Asia. In addition, global thought leaders and industry experts share their insights on design thinking in annual events such as Business of Design Week and Knowledge of Design Week.
On the arts technology front, he shared that the East Kowloon Cultural Centre would become a major venue and incubator of arts technology in phases in 2023. Moreover, overseas arts technology professionals are recognised as needed talents, and will gain bonus points in applications under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme.
The Singapore ETO will continue to organise a series of events in the coming months to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR.
Hong Kong – CE visits Sham Shui Po to gauge views on Policy Address (with photos)
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, visited Sham Shui Po today (July 30) to meet with community leaders and local residents and listen to their views on the upcoming Policy Address.
Mr Lee was accompanied on this visit by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak; the Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Alice Cheung; and District Officer (Sham Shui Po), Mr Paul Wong.
Mr Lee first inspected a “three-nil building” (i.e. a building that does not has owners’ corporation or any form of residents’ organisation, or has not engaged a property management company), visited a grassroots family living in a subdivided flat in the old building in the district to learn more about their living condition and their views on poverty alleviation measures.
Mr Lee then visited the Shamshuipo Kai Fong Welfare Advancement Association Neighbourhood Elderly Centre and interacted with the elderly people at the day care centre. He also exchanged views with community leaders and grassroots residents on the living condition of local citizens and community development.
Mr Lee said he fully appreciates the expectations of grassroots residents towards enhancing their living conditions.
“My team and I will continue to communicate with organisations and people of different sectors in the coming two months by taking part in activities including consultation sessions and district visits to tap public views through multiple channels so as to facilitate the drafting of the Policy Address to be delivered in October,” said Mr Lee.
The public consultation for the 2022 Policy Address was launched on July 25. Mr Lee appealed to members of the public to give their views on issues of their interests to the Government.
Angelo Babb Reid discusses the real-world value of cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrency expert Angelo Babb Reid provides insight into the legitimate properties of cryptocurrencies that allow them to have real-world value in the consumer sector.
Allen Woo explains the importance of transformational leadership in the workplace
People developer Allen Woo explains why transformational leaders are of utmost importance in todays fast-changing era, especially if the idea is to take a workplace to the next level.
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