Since the Anti-epidemic Support Scheme for Environmental Hygiene and Security Staff in Property Management Sector (the Scheme) under the Government’s sixth round of Anti-epidemic Fund has begun receiving applications on February 28, 2022, as of April 12, the Property Management Services Authority (PMSA) has already granted over HK$100 million subsidies, benefitting more than 10,000 frontline property management (PM) workers performing duties related to environmental hygiene or security.
The first batch of successful applications were mostly submitted by property management companies (PMCs)/managers of deeds of mutual covenant (DMC Managers)/owners’ organisations (OOs) which involve nearly 1,100 private residential, composite, industrial and commercial building blocks. Autopay transfer of the subsidies granted to the designated bank accounts of the PMCs/DMC Managers/OOs concerned has been made.
The PMSA Chairperson Mr Tony TSE said, “I wish to appeal to those PMCs/DMC Managers/OOs which have successfully been granted the subsidies to disburse the subsidies to the frontline PM workers as soon as possible so that the workers can be benefitted earliest possible. We work with a high degree of transparency in disbursing the subsidies. Members of the public may access the Scheme’s thematic website to check the list of properties which have been granted the subsidies and the respective PMC/DMC Manager/OO applicants, as well as the number of frontline PM workers who have received subsidies. The PMSA has received over 6,000 applications so far under the Scheme and the deadline for application is April 30. Those who have yet to make application should seize the opportunity to do so before the deadline.”
Other than those frontline PM workers directly employed by PMCs/DMC Managers/OOs to perform duties related to security or environmental hygiene in eligible properties, frontline PM workers employed by cleansing/security contractors hired by the PMCs/DMC Managers/OOs to provide cleansing or security services in eligible properties as well as frontline PM workers hired by premises within the properties are also eligible under this round of the Scheme.
Frontline PM workers providing cleansing or security services to “three-nil” buildings may submit applications individually. An eligible “three-nil” building refers to private residential, composite, industrial or commercial buildings with fragmented ownership which have no owners’ corporations, owner/residents’ organisations and PMCs to provide PM services.
PMCs/DMC Managers/OOs of eligible properties may apply through the online application system or they may download application form from the Scheme’s thematic website and submit application by post or through dropbox at the PMSA office. Cleansing and security workers providing services for “three-nil” buildings may collect application form at the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres or download application form from the Scheme’s thematic website and submit application by post or through dropbox at the PMSA office.
Chairperson TSE stressed, “PM workers have been steadfast at the forefront combatting the pandemic since the onset of the epidemic and have contributed much to anti-epidemic work. They strive to keep properties hygenic and clean, thus minimising the risk of spreading virus in the community and keeping us all healthy. They genuinely deserve our recognition. In the midst of combatting the epidemic, PM workers, regardless of rank or position, frontline or back office, have all devoted themselves to anti-epidemic work. The PMSA is aware of their contribution and will carry out the vetting work of the Scheme by adopting a lenient approach whereby we will examine primiarily if the PM workers concerned have indeed provided environmental hygiene or security services at eligible properties during the subsidised period. We will assist frontline PM workers with our best efforts to apply for the subsidies so that they can be benefitted earliest possible.”
“Whether or not a PM worker holds a job title of “cleaner” or “security guard” does not affect his/her eligibility as long as he/she has actually carried out such work. In addition, all PMCs of eligible properties, not limited to those which have already obtained licence issued by the PMSA, may apply for subsidies under the Scheme.”
Under the first round of the Scheme implemented in 2020, the PMSA had granted subsidies of nearly HK$1.1 billion, benefitting nearly 40,000 properties and more than 160,000 frontline PM workers in Hong Kong. The subsidised period of the current round of the Scheme is from February to June 2022 and each eligible worker may receive a subsidy of $2,000 monthly for a maximum of five months (i.e. up to $10,000 subsidy) during the subsidised period.
For more details of the Scheme, please visit the thematic website (https://aspm.pmsa.org.hk) or call 3696 1156 / 3696 1166 or email aspm@pmsa.org.hk for enquiries.
Ends/Wednesday, 13 April 2022
Issued at HKT 15:30
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