Enhancement measures and extension of the Anti-epidemic Support Scheme for Environmental Hygiene and Security Staff in the Property Management Sector (with photos)
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The Acting Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Jack Chan, visited the Property Management Services Authority (PMSA), which has been implementing the ASPM, this afternoon to show support to their staff who are responsible for handling the applications for the ASPM. "The ASPM has been well-received by the property management (PM) sector and frontline PM workers since its launch. I would like to thank the PMSA colleagues for taking up the task of processing applications positively and promptly, such that the ASPM is implemented smoothly. We have been keeping in view the needs of the PM sector and communicating with the trade. Given the large number of eligible applicants, we would enhance the ASPM and extend the application deadline, with a view to benefiting more PM workers", said Mr Chan.
The enhancement measures introduced to the ASPM include providing an additional quota not exceeding 100 for frontline cleansing and security staff engaged by premises within each eligible building block (including private residential, composite (i.e. commercial cum residential), industrial and commercial (including shopping malls) building block), as well as part-time/leave relief cleansing/security workers of service contractors/subcontractors serving each eligible building block (i.e. the total quota of each eligible building block has been increased from not exceeding 100 to not exceeding 200).
The aforementioned frontline PM workers should submit applications via the PMCs/DMC Managers/OCs/OOs of the relevant building blocks. Considering the administrative and co-ordination work involved, the HAD will provide an administration fee to PMCs/DMC Managers/OCs/OOs, at a rate of $100 per month per frontline PM worker for whom they have successfully applied under the ASPM. As the subsidised period for ASPM is 5-month (i.e. February to June 2022), PMCs/DMC Managers/OCs/OOs can receive a maximum of $500 for each frontline PM worker for whom they have successfully applied. For frontline PM workers whose applications have been approved earlier, the HAD will also provide administration fee at the same rate to the PMCs/DMC Managers/OCs/OOs concerned. Mr Chan said, "We believe that the administrative fee will incentivise PMCs, OCs, etc to actively submit applications for PM workers."
In the light of the aforementioned enhancement measures, in order to provide PMCs/DMC Managers/OCs/OOs sufficient time to prepare for applications, the application deadline for the ASPM will be extended from April 30 to May 31, 2022.
Since the onset of the fifth wave of the epidemic, frontline PM workers have all along been at the forefront of anti-epidemic work and committed to their work to maintain the environmental hygiene and safety of the residents of the buildings. The HAD appeals strongly to PMCs/DMC Managers/OCs/OOs to uphold corporate social responsibility and civic responsibility, following an inclusive and fair principle, and submit applications for all frontline PM workers serving eligible building blocks (including premises therein), so as to give recognition to their committed efforts. PMCs/DMC Managers/OCs/OOs should also ensure the subsidies are disbursed to the frontline PM workers, and must not deduct the wages and welfare to which the frontline PM workers are entitled under the Employment Ordinance (Cap. 57) and/or employment contracts.
The PMSA has expedited the processing of applications received, with a view to benefiting PMCs/DMC Managers/OCs/OOs and frontline PM workers swiftly. As at April 28, the PMSA has received over 14 000 applications, which will benefit nearly 120 000 frontline PM workers, and over 1 260 applications have been approved, involving over $300 million subsidy, benefiting over 3 280 buildings.
For details on the ASPM, please contact the PMSA at 3696 1156 or 3696 1166, or visit the website of the PMSA (www.pmsahk.org.hk).
Ends/Friday, April 29, 2022
Issued at HKT 23:38
Issued at HKT 23:38
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