Alleviating inter-generational poverty and encouraging able-bodied unemployed people to rejoin the work force will be the Hong Kong Commission on Poverty's focus in the coming six to nine months, Hong Kong Financial Secretary Henry Tang said on Monday .

After chairing the commission's second meeting on Monday, he said for other disadvantaged groups, like the elderly, the relevant policy bureaus and departments will continue with their work under the existing policy framework. The commission will include them at the next stage.

Referring to an index developed by the Central Policy Unit to measure deprivation in local districts, the commission preliminary considered that Yuen Long, Sham Shui Po and Kwun Tong are the districts deserving priority attention. The commission will visit Sham Shui Po and Kwun Tong in the next two months. Members will also participate in fact-finding visits to other districts.

Members discussed on Monday a paper prepared by the Economic Analysis and Business Facilitation Unit, which suggests compilation of poverty indicators for children and youth, working people and adults, older people and the community.

Tang said the poverty indicators discussed at the meeting are the commission's first step to understanding Hong Kong's poverty situation through a scientific approach, adding the government will maintain an open mind in further study and discussion of the poverty indicators.

Members noted that in view of rapid social change and the gaps between different communities, the commission should formulate short-term and long-term work programs to address the needs of disadvantaged groups.

Editor: Olivia