The Property Management Services Authority (PMSA) announced today that since the Anti-epidemic Support Scheme for Environmental Hygiene and Security Staff in Property Management Sector (the Scheme) has begun accepting applications on 28 February 2022, nearly 17,000 applications for over 180,000 frontline property management (PM) workers have already been received.
The Enhanced Arrangement for the Scheme was rolled out on 29 April and the deadline for application was extended to 31 May. In addition to the quota of 100 headcounts for the subsidy for each building block in an eligible property when property management companies (PMCs)/deed of mutual covenant (DMC) managers/owners’ organisations (OOs) apply for their directly employed frontline PM workers, each building block in an eligible property will have another 100 headcounts for the subsidy if PMCs/DMC managers/OOs apply for the frontline PM workers employed by the cleansing/security service contractors/sub-contractors engaged by them for the concerned property, or for the frontline PM workers employed at premises in the property. Frontline PM workers of all job types can benefit and apply for the subsidy, whether full time, part time or substitute workers. In addition, PMCs/DMC Managers/OOs will receive an administrative fee of HK$100 per month based on the number of servicing months within the subsidised period for each frontline PM worker who has been granted the subsidy, thereby encouraging PMCs/DMC Managers/OOs to apply for subsidy for frontline PM workers.
PMSA Chairperson Mr Tony TSE said, “There were reports claiming that only several tens of thousands of frontline workers had been benefitted but this is entirely misunderstanding. Applications received by us already cover more than 180,000 workers. We are carrying out the vetting work in full force and over $500 million have been granted to more than 50,000 workers already while the application deadline would only expire on 31 May. Upon completion of all vetting work later, we believe that substantially over 100,000 workers will ultimately be benefitted. In the first round of the Scheme implemented in 2020, over 160,000 frontline PM workers were granted subsidies.”
Chairperson TSE added, “I would wish to appeal again for PMCs, DMC Managers and OOs of eligible properties to seize the opportunity to submit applications timely before the deadline of 31 May so that more frontline PM workers who have been working industriously during the pandemic to safeguard public health can benefit.”
Further to the online briefing about the Enhanced Arrangement for the Scheme given to over 300 members of the Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies on 6 May, the PMSA and the Home Affairs Department have organised a webinar today for relevant industry bodies, OOs and several members of the Legislative Council to explain more on the Enhanced Arrangement and to respond to enquiries related to the application process.
PMCs, DMC Managers and OOs may apply through the Scheme’s online application system (https://aspm.pmsa.org.hk/application/web-application) or download the application form indicating “Enhanced Arrangement” from the Scheme’s thematic website (https://aspm.pmsa.org.hk/) and submit by post or through drop box at the PMSA Office. If the Applicant had applied for the relevant property and had received subsidy in the Anti-epidemic Support Scheme for Property Management Sector implemented under the first round of the Anti-epidemic Fund in 2020 and can confirm that the documents submitted then are still valid and there is no change in circumstances, then those documents do not need to be resubmitted in this round of the Scheme. If the application includes frontline PM workers employed by premises in the property, a Verification Form signed by both the concerned premises and the frontline PM workers has to be submitted. The Verification Form makes clear the responsibilities between the PMC/DMC Manager/OO as the Applicant and the concerned premises/frontline workers. A sample of the Verification Form can be downloaded from the Scheme’s thematic website.
This round of the Scheme aims to benefit frontline PM workers performing duties related to security or environmental hygiene in private residential, composite (commercial cum residential) buildings and industrial and commercial buildings. If the cleansing or security staff provide service in other venues such as hospitals, schools, the airport, construction sites, transportation or the recycling industry etc., they are not eligible under this Scheme. There would be separate arrangement under the Government’s Anti-epidemic Fund.
In the first round of the Scheme implemented in 2020, the PMSA has disbursed over $1.1 billion in subsidies benefitting over 160,000 frontline PM workers.
For more details of the Scheme, please visit its thematic website (https://aspm.pmsa.org.hk), or call 3696 1156/3696 1166 or email to aspm@pmsa.org.hk for enquiries.
Ends/Tuesday, 24 May 2022
Issued at HKT 18:30
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