On Tuesday (5th), a fatal accident occurred at the荃灣如心酒店 (荃灣如心 Hotel), where an 80-year-old taxi driver allegedly veered onto the pedestrian path at the hotel's ground floor entrance, colliding with a 35-year-old Filipino male tourist who was passing by. The tragedy has once again sparked public concern regarding whether the current physical examination mechanism for elderly professional drivers should be tightened, and there are also calls for the establishment of a mandatory retirement age. Equally important is the question of why citizens in their 80s still have to worry about living expenses.

黃國 (黃國), Chairman of the 工聯會 (Labour Party) and a Legislative Council member, stated that retirement security is closely related to this accident and similar incidents. He emphasized that elderly citizens who have worked hard for many years should be able to enjoy their retirement, but the reality is not so. He urged the authorities to improve the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) scheme, such as by setting guaranteed returns on MPF contributions. He stressed that, in the face of the market reality of 'strong capital, weak labor', the government should not frequently use the excuse of a free market to avoid intervention, but instead should play a balancing role.

The accident at the荃灣如心酒店 (荃灣如心 Hotel) left the victim lying on the ground after being hit. (Screenshot from online video)

Many young taxi drivers still have to struggle for a living

Alongside raising concerns about the status of elderly taxi drivers, the accident at the荃灣如心酒店 (荃灣如心 Hotel) also raised questions about why elderly citizens have not truly retired, suggesting that Hong Kong's retirement security may be insufficient. Taking the taxi industry as an example,

黃保強 (黃保強), Chairman of the Taxi Association, admitted to《香港01》(Hong Kong 01) that many elderly drivers in the industry work 'for a living'. Some taxi drivers who purchased taxi licenses have yet to stop making payments; others, even after stopping payments, have taken out loans against their taxi licenses to support their families and are still repaying their debts.

黃國 (黃國), Chairman of the 工聯會 (Labour Party), stated that elderly citizens who have worked hard for many years should enjoy their retirement, but the reality is not so. (Photo by盧翊銘)

The government has yet to implement the provision of MPF contributions for low-income employees

The Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) scheme was implemented on December 1, 2000, and is the second pillar of Hong Kong's retirement security system. Employers and self-employed individuals must make regular mandatory contributions calculated at 5% of the employee's or self-employed person's income, with the contribution amount restricted by statutory minimum and maximum income levels. For monthly-wage employees, the minimum and maximum relevant income levels are $7,100 and $30,000, respectively.

黃國 (黃國) believes that the contribution limits should be adjusted, and he pointed out that the current monthly contribution rate of 10% (5% from employers and 5% from employees) is insufficient for ensuring security. He emphasized that guaranteed returns should be provided for MPF investments, and citizens should have additional savings, such as saving an additional 10% of their income each month, which would allow them to enjoy their retirement. Additionally, he reiterated the government's promise to provide MPF contributions for low-income employees, but it has yet to be implemented.

Providing MPF contributions for low-income individuals would be very beneficial, especially for self-employed individuals. The government would spend hundreds of millions of dollars annually, benefiting 300,000 people, which would have a high cost-effectiveness.

黃國 (黃國)

黃國 (黃國) laments that Hong Kong's labor welfare is at a third-world level. (Photo by顏銘輝)

Adjusting the MPF plan may help improve retirement security, but it is difficult to quickly improve the current situation in the short term. 黃國 (黃國) frankly stated that Hong Kong is a developed economy, but its labor welfare measures remain at a third-world level. He urged the government not to always talk about the 'free market' and to consider how to implement 'safety net' measures such as retirement security, ensuring a balance of interests in Hong Kong, where 'strong capital, weak labor' is the reality.

President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech on the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China, mentioning that 'currently, the biggest desire of the people of Hong Kong is for a better life... older people should receive better care.' 黃國 (黃國) stated that the central government has put forward clear requirements for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and members of the Legislative Council will do their duty to provide the government with advice, 'speaking up when necessary.' However, he pointed out that the problem can only be resolved after the policy is implemented. He also mentioned that the government can do more in terms of 'safety net' measures, such as whether the current minimum wage is 'lower than receiving social assistance,' and whether it should be adjusted to better address the issue of poverty.

荃灣如心酒店車禍｜Should taxi drivers have a mandatory retirement age? Vote now

荃灣如心酒店車禍｜Filipino man killed by taxi; Consulate staff accompany family to identify the body

荃灣如心酒店車禍｜Chen Xuefeng proposes adding reaction tests for elderly drivers; drivers over 80 banned from driving taxis

荃灣如心廣場車禍｜80-year-old taxi driver arrested for dangerous driving causing death; bail granted pending investigation

荃灣如心酒店的士車禍｜Elderly taxi driver's annual inspection delayed for two years; Tin Pak Sham proposes limiting working hours for drivers over 75

荃灣如心酒店車禍｜80-year-old taxi driver kills tourist; Ho Keng Kong calls for mandatory retirement age

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