WK LO's LegCo Express (August 2020)
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WK Lo’s LegCo Express
August 2020
1. LegCo General Election postponed for a year
The Hong Kong Government announced on 31 July that, amid the severe COVID-19 epidemic situation, the Chief Executive has decided to postpone the 2020 LegCo General Election, originally scheduled for September 6, 2020, for a year to September 5, 2021, in order to protect public safety and public health as well as ensure elections are conducted openly and fairly. My election campaign was also suspended. I am deeply indebted to the 125 fellow engineers who nominated me this time. They rendered a broad representation covering different professional fields and age groups in the industry. , I am also grateful to those who signed and supported my candidacy, and encouraged me to continue to serve you.
2. Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress to let the Sixth LegCo continue to discharge its duties
To address the issues arising from the postponement of the LegCo Election, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress has made the decision to let the Sixth LegCo continue to discharge its duties for no less than one year. I welcome the Standing Committee's decision. In the present unprecedented pandemic situation, the decision enables the continued smooth operation of the Legislature and ensures the effective administration of the Government. I hope that when the Council resumes work in October, Members across the political spectrum could put aside political differences and work together to discharge their constitutional duties, with the common goal to resolve economic and livelihood issues for the best interest of the community.
3. Urged the Government to strengthen the anti-epidemic measures
Together with some other LegCo members, I met the Chief Secretary for Administration on 7 August to urge the Government to strengthen the anti-epidemic measures, including: explain the role of the "Mainland Nucleic Acid Test Support Team" to the public and dispel rumors; speed up the implementation of Community Test Scheme; launch "Hong Kong Health Code" as soon as possible; immediately plug loopholes of epidemic prevention in the community; and take advanced measures to prevent the possible fall and winter epidemics.
4. Employment Support Scheme for Construction Sector (Casual Employees)
Since early August, I have received some requests for assistance from employers of casual employees in the construction sector. Some employers of casual employees in the industry were informed that their applications for the Employment Support Scheme (ESS) had been rejected due to failure to fulfil the relevant requirements. When they received the notification, application for the Employment Support Scheme for the Construction Sector (ESSC) had already closed and they were unable to submit applications in time. I was aware of the situation and relayed their cases to the Development Bureau for consideration of rendering appropriate assistance to the qualified employers. On 11 August, the Development Bureau announced the arrangement of assisting those employers who should have submitted their applications to the ESSC instead of the ESS. The employers concerned must call the Construction Industry Council at 3199 7377 to make their requests within one month after receiving the “Not Accepted” notification of the ESS.
5. Urged the Government to expedite the third round of Anti-epidemic Fund
Together with some other LegCo members, I met the CE on 12 August to expedite the implementation of the third round of Anti-epidemic Fund. I recommended the government to subsidize the fees for professionals to maintain their professional qualifications, such as membership fees and professional registration fees. I also suggested the establishment of a "Young Engineers Development Fund” for young engineering professionals aged 35 or below to apply for professional courses and obtain professional qualifications.
6. Launched the Universal Community Testing Programme
To identify asymptomatic COVID-19 patients and to cut the transmission chains in the community, the Government launched the Universal Community Testing Programme (UCTP) on 1 September to provide a one-off free testing service for members of the public at 141 community testing centres. I took the COVID-19 test on 1 September and got the result (negative) on 3 September. The testing process is safe, convenient and quick while privacy is protected. The UCTP can help the resumption of economic activities and social lives which people have longed for.
7. Discussion on the Government's overall efforts and the relevant measures to combat COVID-19
At the House Committee meeting on 28 August, I raised my concerns on the Government’s measures to combat COVID-19 in view of the third wave of local outbreak. I urged the Government to introduce supplementary measures for the construction sector, the creative sector and the silver-haired employees when launching when launching the third round Anti-epidemic Fund. I also urged the Government to roll out more public works projects so as to maintain reasonable workload for the engineering sector. The investment in infrastructures can stimulate economic growth in the whole society, and also help improve livelihood of people.
