Security Bureau response to 500 complaint letters to the LegCo

Post Date: Aug 17th, 2015 | Categories: Food, Government, Housing, Refugee Community, Welfare | COMMENT

Security Bureau replied to the Legislative Council Secretariat concerning 500 complaints letters lodged by members of the Refugee Union on the inadequacy of welfare support. 

“Foreigners who smuggled themselves into Hong Kong, and visitors who overstayed their limit of stay allowed by the Immigration Department (ImmD) or who were refused entry by the ImmD upon arrival at Hong Kong (collectively “illegal immigrants”) are subject to be removed from Hong Kong in accordance with the Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115). To safeguard immigration control and for public interest, they should be removed as soon as practicable.”

“Some non-refoulement claimants may not be able to meet their basic needs when their claim is being assessed. Since 2006, on humanitarian grounds, the Government has been offering in-kind assistance to these claimants to prevent them from becoming destitute (the assistance programme). Coverage of such assistance includes temporary accommodation, basic utilities allowance, food, clothing, basic necessities, appropriate transport allowance and counseling activities … The Government has enhanced the service package … since February 2014:

  • Accommodation: the rent allowance grid per adult claimants has been increased to $1,500;
  • Food: the budget for food for each claimant has been increased to $1,200 a month;
  • Utilities: the allowance per claimant has been increased to $300 per month;
  • Transport allowance: the allowance per claimant has been increased from $200 t0 $420 per month.”

“We will carefully consider all the views received, including the concerns expressed in the 291 + 209 cases enclosed in your letter, with a view to ensuring that the non-refoulement claims are screened in a fair and expeditious manner and deterring illegal immigrants and abuses to our current system. Meanwhile, we will continue to ensure claimants do not fall destitute whilst in Hong Kong.” (emphasis added) 

Legislative Council report on complaint mechanism, dated 10 August 2015

Security Bureau response to 500 complaints to Legco 



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