Hongkongers on welfare can build social bonds, job prospects from volunteering: minister

Welfare recipients taking part in a new pilot scheme that requires them to put in volunteer hours can make use of the unpaid work to enhance social connections and increase their employability, Hong Kong’s welfare minister has said.

Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han on Saturday dismissed concerns that mandated voluntary work of at least one hour a week would be challenging or stigmatising to recipients, saying assignments could simply involve distributing supplies or performing cleaning tasks at community centres.

He said such voluntary work would help financial aid receivers make new friends, gain exposure to different facets of life and motivate them to reconnect with society.

But he added that a punishment mechanism was necessary to make the scheme effective.

“They must have their reasons for receiving the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance, but unpaid work is not difficult. For example, they may go to a community centre to clean or help manage crowds during activities or distribute supplies,” he said.

“This will gradually allow them to have more contact with society and motivate them to do more.”