Promoting Respect for Elderly and Fostering a Sense of Worthiness Among Them (2012/12/5) 

MR YIU SI-WING: President, may I ask the Secretary if he would consider issuing guidelines to large or public organizations to guide or encourage them to take part in offering concessions to the elderly?

SECRETARY FOR LABOUR AND WELFARE: President, thanks to Mr YIU for the supplementary question. On concessions for the elderly, we all know that at present, elderly people who have reached 65 years of age can get a Senior Citizen Card and they are entitled to some discounts, for example, a 20% discount. This arrangement has been in place for a long time and now, 1.3 million elderly people have obtained this card and companies are joining in all the time to offer concessions. The response from companies has been excellent, so elderly people are entitled to some concessions, for example, paying less when shopping, paying $10 for movie tickets during non-peak hours, and so on. In fact, many concessions are being offered, but I also agree that we have to continue to make efforts in promotion. We have all along been making efforts and the Social Welfare Department is responsible for promotion. We will further step up the dissemination of the relevant messages having regard to the actual situation.

MR YIU SI-WING: I asked him if guidelines can be issued to encourage the companies, but he did not reply if such guidelines would be issued.

SECRETARY FOR LABOUR AND WELFARE: President, we are absolutely happy to make further efforts. I have also said just now that we would step up the efforts. In fact, in respect of publicity and promotion, we will take measures to tie in with companies in relation to the Senior Citizen Card and step up publicity and promotion in various areas. We would make such efforts.