GD retirees to get $1,135 monthly allowance

30,000 seniors to benefit.

According to a report, Hong Kong seniors choosing to live in Guangdong will soon be able to receive a $1,135 monthly old-age allowance.

Secretary for Labour & Welfare Matthew Cheung told the media today the scheme will be introduced by November. About 30,000 seniors are expected to join the scheme in its first year, which will see total annual expenditure of about $395 million.

Beneficiaries must live in Guangdong instead of Hong Kong for at least 60 days to receive a full-year's payment of the allowance. By July, the Government will open a new office in Sheung Shui to handle applications for the scheme.

The Government has appointed the International Social Service Hong Kong Branch to run the scheme under a three-year contract.

Meanwhile, on youth employment, Mr Cheung urged young people to seek opportunities in construction, aircraft maintenance and elderly care, rather than focusing on clerical work.

He said demand for manpower is particularly high in these industries, and noted the unemployment rate for people aged 15 to 24 is 9.1%, and 16.7% for 15 to 19-year-olds.

The Labour Department has launched the Career Get-Set-Go programme for pre-employment training and employment services for secondary school graduates, he added.