DAB calls for e-vouchers and pandemic subsidies

Pressure is mounting on the Financial Secretary Paul Chan to distribute another round of electronic consumption vouchers in this month’s budget, with Hong Kong’s biggest party – the DAB – asking for at least HK$5,000 per person.

The request comes a day after the Federation of Trade Unions asked for HK$10,000.

DAB lawmaker Frankie Ngan says e-vouchers are better than cash for stimulating the economy.

“It’s because cash can be saved,” he told a media briefing on Thursday about the DAB’s budget wishes.

“It may not create extra consumption and GDP for Hong Kong,” Ngan said.

Fellow party lawmaker Edward Leung said the DAB also wants the Financial Secretary to subsidise those hit by the pandemic restrictions over the Lunar New Year.

“We would like to issue some subsidy – HK$25,000 for the people who are affected by the policy that they are not allowed to operate during the Chinese New Year,” he said.

“For people who are unemployed during this pandemic, we would like to issue HK$6,000 for six consecutive months,” Leung added, “so that we can relieve their pressure during this hard time.”