Page 46 - Preservation for the Documentation of Chinese Christianity

Justice and Social Concern Committee

The Committee is chaired by Rev. Phyllis Wong. The Executive to support healthcare reform. Besides submitting our view to the
Staff is Mr. Wan Hoi-wing. government, the committee also co-organized both a seminar
and film show on the issue on December 4, 2010.

A. Policy advocacy and social concern iv. Abolition of Death Penalty
To respond to the call of Justice and Peace Commission of
i. Minimum Wage
the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese to abolish the death penalty,
Starting from May 1, 2011, the statutory minimum wage was HKCC displayed a banner on the railing outside the entrance of
officially implemented. Because Hong Kong is a society having
the building in order to urge the people to support the abolition
a wide gap between the poor and the rich, such minimum wage of the death penalty worldwide.
cannot ensure workers and their families to have a reasonable
v. Express Rail Link
and dignified way of living. The Council thus decided to promote
“Act out wage of Christ - 28+ wage covenant movement” to In order to build the Express Rail Link, the government forcibly
advocate for a dignified wage for all workers and encourage removed residents of the Choi Yuen Tsuen area to reclaim the
Church / Organization / School / Company to set a minimum land. Several villagers and protesters were injured, while many
wage that is higher than the Statutory Minimum Wage for all policemen who were present did nothing to intervene. On
staff members and provide paid meal time and paid rest day. January 25, 2011 the Committee published a statement
The Council held a seminar of “Act out wage of Christ” on together with some Christian NGOs to call on the government to
March 25, 2011 at Ward Memorial Methodist Church for use communication and negotiation to solve the problem as well
promoting the details of the Campaign to the churches. as to help the construction of the new Choi Yuen Tsuen. The
committee also held two public prayer meetings in Choi Yuen
Tsuen and adjacent to the Tsim Sha Tsui pier on January 25 and
February 9 respectively. Then we organized a gathering with a
traditional Pun Choi Feast on the site of new Choi Yuen Tsuen.

vi. “Charities” Consultation
The Charities sub-committee of the Law Reform Commission
released a consultation paper in June 2011. Since the proposal
will have a profound effect on the churches and Christian
organizations, the Council co-organized a consultation forum
with the Hong Kong Chinese Churches Union on August 31,
Seminar of “Act out wage of Christ” 2011. The Council also submitted its comments to the
government.
ii. Long-term Social Welfare Planning
vii. Policy Address and Financial Budget
The Committee issued a statement in the newspaper with
other social welfare organizations on October 20, 2010, on the The Committee sent a proposal on the Financial Budget for
eve of the release of policy address, to urge the government to the year 2011-2012 in February 2011. It also co-organized a
pick up its responsibility on long-term social welfare planning. seminar with Christian NGOs on April 9, 2011 on the Financial
Budget from the perspective of public finances policy.
iii. Medical Reform
The Committee sent a proposal on Policy Address and the
The government launched the second stage public
Financial Budget for the year 2012-2013 in September 2011.
consultation on healthcare reform in October 2010, to seek
viii. Asylum Seekers and Refugees
views from the community on the proposals to set up a Health
Protection Scheme. This scheme is promoted for those who subscribe The committee is a member of Refugee Concern Network.
to private health insurance and use private healthcare services Thanks to the continuous financial support provided by
on a voluntary basis. The Government has reserved $50 billion CW M /Nethersole Fund, the Com m ittee and Christian Action

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