Call off 'bad son statement'

The Subcommittee on Poverty of the Legislative Council passed a non-binding resolution on Tuesday, urging the government to waive the requirement for a so called "bad son statement" from senior citizens applying for welfare.

The "bad son statement" amounts to a declaration by elderly welfare applicants that their children refuse to provide their parents with financial support. The letters often are considered to be stigmatizing in a Chinese culture that emphasizes filial piety. Some elderly people refuse to apply for Comprehensive Social Security Assistance because of the shame that attached to writing the letter.

Lung Siu-kit, assistant director of social welfare, said that senior citizens could declare they do not receive financial support from children on their own. And the Social Welfare Department will approve their applications after an investigation.

Gome pledges to pay employees

Gome Electrical Appliances has promised to fulfill its obligation to some 100 employees who will lose their jobs after the electrical appliance chain closes all six of its outlets in Hong Kong by March 16, said Secretary for Labour and Welfare Matthew Cheung Kin-chung.

Cheung said the department has been in touch with Gome since the company announced the shutdowns on grounds that it was adjusting its business strategy in Hong Kong. He said the company appears to have no major financial problems and is clear about the rights of its employees.

So far, the department has received no request for assistance from Gome employees.

Flower show on March 15-24

The Hong Kong Flower Show 2013 will be held in Victoria Park for 10 days from March 15 to 24. This year's show features "A Kaleidoscope of Spring" as the main theme and dendrobium as the theme flower, said the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.

The flower show is inviting members of public to take part in the plant exhibits competition. Applications will remain open until Feb 6.

Teens rob taxi driver at reservoir

Police have arrested three 16-year-old boys in connection with the robbery of a taxi driver early on Tuesday at Shing Mun Reservoir.

The taxi driver, 68, said he drove the three to the reservoir around 2 am. One of the three struck him on the head with a glass bottle. The thugs fled with HK$300 cash.

Police later found the suspects on Shing Mun Road. The taxi driver was taken to Yan Chai Hospital for treatment.

Dogs of missing elderly man saved

Police and Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) staff broke into a village house in Pat Heung and rescued 10 dogs locked inside, on Tuesday.

Neighbors alerted AFCD after the elderly owner of the house, failed to come to feed the dogs for nearly a week. Officers found seven older dogs and three pups after entering the house around noon.

The pups are being cared for by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals while the older animals are at the government kennels in Sheung Shui.

China Daily

(HK Edition 01/23/2013 page1)