Your Voice: Hong Kong’s suspended waste-charging scheme; city’s ageing crisis (long letters)

I am writing to express my thoughts regarding the recent decision by the Hong Kong government to suspend the waste-charging scheme. While some experts have commended the decision as politically wise, environmental organisations believe the policy was the only way to reduce waste disposal. Therefore, addressing the inadequacies that have come to light during its implementation is crucial.

Devising good policies is only valuable if they can be translated into tangible results. Recent incidents, such as the malfunctioning app for checking attendance records during university entrance exams and the rushed launch of electronic tunnel toll payments, highlight execution concerns.

This underscores the need for the government to not only focus on the results of the policy, but also to learn from past execution concerns to avoid similar mistakes in the future. The government should have examined the waste-charging policy thoroughly before presenting it to the public.

The lack of skill in explaining policies has further compounded public frustration. There has been a clear disconnect between officials and the public. Effective communication, which is essential to ensure that policies are understood and supported by the community, is a key area that the government should focus on. The government should further explain the policy and optimise it for the general public to prevent disagreements with the programme.

While the decision to suspend the waste-charging scheme may have temporarily alleviated public opposition, the government must learn from this experience. The scheme has been in discussion for nearly two decades and has faced repeated delays and concerns from various sectors. More comprehensive channels for gathering and analysing opinions from the public are necessary to avoid such missteps in the future.

As a concerned citizen, I urge the government to use this opportunity to reassess its approach to policy execution. Strengthening the implementation process, improving communication, and actively seeking input from affected stakeholders are crucial for rebuilding public trust and ensuring the successful implementation of future policies.

Hong Kong government commended for suspending waste-charging scheme

Riley Mok Cho-kiu (Wah Yan College, Hong Kong)

The median age of Hongkongers is on a rapid ascent, projected to reach 55.5 years by 2046. The pandemic and emigration wave have further exacerbated the situation, resulting in a 40 per cent lower-than-forecast number of births in the past three years. It is crucial that we act swiftly to ensure a sustainable future for Hong Kong.

One leading cause of the ageing population is the advancements in healthcare technologies, which have led to increased life expectancy. Another factor is the declining birth rate, which can be partly attributed to expanded career prospects for women. These factors have triggered a substantial demographic shift, characterised by a larger proportion of retired senior citizens and a diminished number of young people.

Given the declining fertility rate, it is clear that family-friendly policies are not just beneficial, but necessary. Many individuals are deterred from having children due to inflexible work arrangements and demanding professional schedules. By offering affordable and accessible childcare, parental leave, and flexible work arrangements, we can empower those who wish to continue their careers to also start a family.

Sweden, renowned for its family-friendly policies, offers up to 480 days of paid parental leave shared between parents. It also provides high-quality and subsidised childcare services. Hong Kong should consider implementing similar policies to support work-life balance and increase the fertility rate.

The problems induced by the ageing population require prompt solutions. The elderly population lives longer, placing a strain on healthcare systems. Additionally, the impact on the economy is evident as the rising number of retired elderly and declining jobseekers exacerbate challenges in the labour market.

As part of a comprehensive approach, it is crucial that the government thoroughly reviews existing retirement policies. This could involve incentivising employers to retain retired but experienced workers through flexible working hours, part-time options, and mentorship programmes.

Singapore’s successful implementation of a “Re-employment Act” is a testament to the potential of such measures. By allowing the elderly to continue contributing with their expertise, we can help alleviate the issue of a shrinking labour force and declining productivity.

In conclusion, strengthening retirement and family-friendly policies is needed to mitigate the challenges associated with an ageing population. Let’s work together to build a sustainable future for Hong Kong.

Jason Liu, Wong Shiu Chi Secondary School

I am writing to express my concern about the rights and well-being of ethnic minority groups in Hong Kong. One of the key challenges they face is the language barrier, which exacerbates their difficulties and limits their opportunities.

Ethnic minorities often struggle to communicate effectively due to the language barrier, which poses significant obstacles in their daily lives. By resolving the language barriers, we can provide ethnic minorities with a fair chance to succeed. We need to implement programmes that offer language support and education to help bridge the communication gap.

Additionally, it is vital to promote a perspective of cultural understanding and respect within our society. By embracing diversity and different languages, we can create an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

It is our collective responsibility to ensure that ethnic minority groups have equal access to opportunities. By addressing the language barrier, we can pave the way for a more inclusive society.

Deep Dive: How the language barrier hurts Hong Kong’s ethnic minority communities