Some 237,000 new migrants will get a cash handout of HK$6,000 each under a proposal by members of the government-run Community Care Fund, in what looks like another change of heart from authorities to appease the public.
The move, which will be discussed today, is going to cost the fund HK$1.5 billion if approved.
It comes after strong protests by new migrants over being excluded from the government's cash giveaways in the revised budget.
Under the fund proposal, new adult migrants with a household income below 75 per cent of the median household income of the same-size Hong Kong family will qualify for the handout.
Taking figures from the fourth quarter of last year as a reference, a new migrant from a four-person family will qualify if their combined family income is under HK$18,000. For a family of six, the ceiling will be HK$27,000.
Those who are living on public assistance should also be eligible, according to the proposal.
