Core
Module
23








Upholding the Core Values of
Our Society
Foundation part: “Right to Freedom of
Opinion & Expression” and “Narrowing
the Gap between the Rich & the Poor”
What is freedom of opinion and expression? What are the channels and ways to
express our opinions?
Do we have the right to freedom of opinion and expression?
How do you know that we have such right? Does any law in Hong Kong protect
such right?
Do we really have the right to “freedom” of opinion and expression? Is there any
constraint to such freedom?
Why is it important to uphold the right to freedom of opinion and expression in the
community? Do Hong Kong people cherish their right?
What is the degree of importance accorded to the freedom of opinion and
expression by the Government, politics and social groups, non-governmental
organizations, the media and individuals?
Is there any objective criterion to measure “wealth inequality” in the world?
How about the situations in other regions or countries? Is there a large
gap between the rich and the poor in Hong Kong when compared to
these regions or countries?
1
Lead-in Activity (1): Is it included in freedom
of opinion and expression?
In the above picture, Sam wrote the words “Sam was here” on the wall of a school and said, “I have
the right to express my opinions!” Do you think this is included in the freedom of opinion and
expression? Why?
What is freedom of opinion and expression?
Freedom of opinion and expression refers to people’s right to express their opinions freely and impart
and receive information and thoughts without interference. Freedom of opinion and expression may
be reflected in both text and non-text forms, including various platforms of press, publication,
broadcast, assembly, marching and demonstration that allow people to express their views.
The right to freedom of opinion and expression is also reflected in various domains of the community,
including politics, society and religion. In regard to politics, people can be critical of the Government
or the authorities in order to promote values and voice out their demands. In regard to religion,
people may choose their own religious belief and clarify their own religious stance. In regard to
society, people may freely participate in various social movements or community activities, express
their views in public and join social affairs.
2
Article 27 of the Basic Law
Hong Kong residents shall have freedom of speech, of the press and of
publication; freedom of association, of assembly, of procession and of
demonstration; and the right and freedom to form and join trade unions,
and to strike.
Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right
includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive
and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of
frontiers.
: What are the ways for us to express
“personal voice” or “opinion”?
Suppose you were the representative of the Student Union. Recently, you knew that many students
were dissatisfied with the lunch supplier. They hope that the supplier could improve food quality.
How would you express their opinions?
a.
Who would be the person listening to the opinions?
b.
What would be your preferred channels and ways to express the opinions?
c.
What are your expected outcomes?
3
Some students have expressed their complaints and opinions about
the lunch supplier:
Student A: “I have found “the most effective” way of forcing the
lunch supplier to improve food quality in the shortest time. I would
post complaints about the poor quality of the food on the Internet.
Everybody would know their wrongdoings. For example, the food products provided by them taste
bad. The only reason is that they buy stale and even expired food materials for making the
lunchboxes, which cause adverse effects on the health of teachers and students. When people know
their wrongdoings, they would put pressure on the supplier and force them to make improvement! I
am a consumer. I have the freedom to express my opinions! Stand up and come together to express
your opinions right now!”
Do you agree and support student A’s behaviour and opinions?
In order to provide more channels for students to express
their opinions, the representative of the Student Union
proposed a “Wall of Democracy” to be established in tuck
shop of the school so that students can write down their
comments about the lunch supplier anonymously.
When the school management comes to know the Student Union’s arrangements, it requires students
to show their names when they write down their comments on the “Wall of Democracy” on the
ground that everyone should be responsible for their own words.
Which side would you take between these two sets of suggestions and actions? Why?
4
(Suitable for students of higher academic ability)
The school management knew that the students are unsatisfied with the lunch supplier and decided to
make open invitation for suppliers for the service. A total of five operators have applied for the lunch
supply service. The Principal has planned to hold a one-person-one-vote election by the end of this
month so that students can elect their lunch supplier. However, students are prohibited to discuss
over the matter in public for the purpose of fairness.
1.
Do you agree with the Principal’s arrangement?
2.
Do you think the arrangement has well shown freedom of opinion and expression and
democracy? Why?
Yes. It is because one-person-one-vote election is one way of
expressing our own opinions. Fairness in participation could be
achieved as every participant may cast their one vote. Democracy
could be achieved as everyone may express their own opinions with
their own vote in a peaceful and rational manner.
No. It is because people cannot express their own opinions and
exchange ideas through an adequate discussion as they cannot
discuss the matter in public. Democracy cannot exist without
freedom of speech.
5
Reasons for supporting freedom of opinion and expression
There are various reasons for supporting freedom of opinion and expression. Some major reasons are
that freedom of opinion and expression can help people to express oneself, seek the truth and uphold
democratic procedures.
Express oneself
We can express ourselves through freedom of opinion and expression. Each person is an individual
who thinks and acts independently without any interference. They should have the right of
expressing their own opinions. Therefore, we should respect and value opinions of all people equally.
Seek the truth
Freedom of opinion and expression can help to seek the truth and achieve a better community. It’s
inevitable that people will make mistakes. People cannot always be right. Therefore, when the
general public considers something suggested by some people to be ridiculous, it could be proved to
be truth or innovation. Therefore, a restriction on freedom of opinion and expression could lead to a
limitation on the opportunities for people in seeking the truth. Furthermore, it is believed that people
would identify truth from statements in an open public forum when we believe that human beings are
rational enough to do so. Therefore, more open forums for opinions may provide people with more
choices.
Uphold democratic procedures
The freedom of opinion and expression can help people to obtain sufficient information in making
informed decisions. It can also guarantee better democratic procedures. Accordingly, a higher degree
of freedom of opinion and expression can guarantee more open and abundant information in the
community. People may then obtain more sufficient information in making informed choices and
decisions in respect of political affairs, which eventually enhances the probabilities of making right
collective decisions.
6
: Another value of freedom of opinion and expression
from the perspective of audience -- tolerance
Tolerance is another value of freedom of opinion and expression.
Tolerance as a value is the foundation for promotion of freedom of
opinion and expression and development of an open environment.
We should tolerate diversity of opinions of various individuals or
groups, not withstanding contradictions and conflicts to a larger or
lesser extent. By doing so, people would have the space for
reviewing and revising their own ideas, which further promotes these achievements in seeking the
truth, upholding democratic procedures and expressing oneself.
Reasons for restricting certain types of speeches
Reasons for restricting the freedom of opinion and expression are mainly based on the quality of the
speech itself. Restriction on the freedom of opinion and expression does not mean to oppose it as a
whole, but to restrict parts of it, among which are mainly of some speeches that are considered low
value and harmful.
Low value speeches
While there are various types of speeches in the community, yet not all of them are of equal value to
the community. For example, speeches associated with instigation, indecency and children
pornography contradict social morality and the needs and values in relation to the development of
our community. As result, having reviewed the harms and benefits of those speeches to the
community, those speeches would be banned. It is because those speeches are deemed low value
words and would be excluded in the discussion over upholding the freedom of opinion and
expression.
Harmful speeches
Harmful speeches lead to harmful effects to certain individuals or groups in forms of violent
speeches (e.g., defamation, hostile attack and insult). The victims may include those of different
genders, races or social classes. These harmful speeches could lead to conflicts or even violent
7
clashes. Accordingly, those speeches are not accepted by the community and would be excluded in
the discussion over upholding the freedom of opinion and expression.
To prevent the freedom of opinion and expression from being abused for the purposes of causing
harms to others and the community, laws of Hong Kong in respect of different aspects have been
enacted to restrict the spread of certain opinions and information. Some examples are the Defamation
Ordinance, the Prevention of Child Pornography Ordinance, the Race Discrimination Ordinance and
the Control of Obscene and Indecent Articles Ordinance.
: Freedom of opinion and expression
from different perspectives
It was reported recently that Little Gossip, a new website in the
UK, has become a hot spot for students. There are lots of users
gossiping on the link anonymously about their classmates,
including those making fun of their classmates’ appearances
with abusive words and spreading rumors about their
classmates. Teachers and parents are critical of this website on
the ground that it encourages cyber bullying.
I have the freedom of opinion and expression!
Moreover, what I have said are facts. Why I should not
be allowed to express my opinions on the internet?
Siu Keung
Did you care about feelings of others when
you are expressing your so-called “facts”?
Your freedom of opinion and expression
does not mean you can do everything!
8
Siu Yee
1.
Which side would you take between their opinions? Please explain your view with at least one
reason.
I agree with Siu Keung’s opinions. He has the right to expressing his own opinion. If what he
said are facts without preference or personal view, then he should not be banned from
expressing his opinions so that personal freedom would not be restricted.
I agree with Siu Yee’s opinions. If what we said on the internet are harmful defamation or
rumours containing malicious information, they are not conducive to seeking the truth. We
shouldn’t attack others with malicious intent and do harm to them in the name of freedom of
opinion and expression.
As cyber bullying continues to worsen, the Office of the Privacy
Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) of Hong Kong has
suggested that Hong Kong should follow the practice that is
implemented in the European Union, the UK and Macao to pass
regulations on the collection of sensitive and general personal
information, by which the user will commit a criminal offence to
collect those information without consent of the people concerned.
2.
Do you support the PCPD’s proposal? Explain your view with at least one reason.
Yes. It is because releasing personal or sensitive data will not contribute to the interest of the
community as a whole and the data should be protected.
No. Regulations on sensitive and personal data would adversely affect circulation of
information which is not conducive to seeking the truth. Therefore, no regulation should be
proposed.
9
Lead-in Activity (2): Do you think there is a large gap
between the rich and the poor in Hong Kong?
When I read a news report today, I knew the trading price of a
luxury house in Hong Kong reached a record high of HK$660
million, or an average price of HK$50,600 per sq.ft. Meanwhile,
there is another piece of news about the living condition of Uncle
Chan, who is living in a cage home in Sham Shui Po. He is living
in a poor living environment and is facing hunger. According to
these news reports, I can conclude that “there is certainly a large
gap between the rich and the poor in Hong Kong!”
Chi Keung
I don’t agree with your view! You are making this conclusion
solely based on the information…
Wai Keung

Why did Wai Keung say so?

Help Wai Keung to challenge Chi Keung’s conclusion with questions.


Are these cases “isolated” or “common”?
Are we making a “subjective” judgment or
formulating our conclusion based on “objective”
truth and data?
10
Lead-in Activity (3): How to assess the gap between
the rich and the poor in Hong Kong?
This is for students who have a higher academic ability. Lead-in activity is recommended before
teaching the topic on Gini Coefficient in order to develop students’ critical thinking skills.
Several approaches are proposed to
assess the gap between the rich and the
poor in Hong Kong. Which one do you
think is better? Explain the reason(s).
Way
Brief explanation
Do you
think it is a
good
approach?
Compare the incomes between the
1
Explanation
Extreme values cannot reflect the
richest citizens and the poorest citizens
No
in Hong Kong.
true profile of income of citizens
in Hong Kong.
(Yes) The profile of income of
public housing residents can be
2
An institution has classified the public
truly reflected as the income of
housing residents as “the poor”. As
public housing residents has been
nearly half of the Hong Kong people are
Yes/No
public housing residents, the institution
vetted.
(No) It’s difficult to reflect any
believes that there is a large gap
improvement
in
incomes
of
between the rich and the poor.
residents after they moved into
units. Moreover, there are a
number of well-off tenants.
11
3
By using the amount of Comprehensive
(Yes) The standard was clear.
Social
(No) Some people with low
Security Assistance
(CSSA)
payment to indicate the level of poverty,
Yes/No
income did not apply for CSSA.
the Government estimated that there
Therefore, the data did not fully
were 960,000 people living in poverty.
reflect the actual situation.
(Yes) The amount was clear and
4
By defining the poverty line as half of
also
the median monthly domestic income of
coverage.
the corresponding household size, the
Yes/No
Hong Kong Council of Social Service
(HKCSS)
estimated
that
1,230,000
there
was
territory-wide
(No) Using "half of the median
monthly domestic income" cannot
reflect the issue of the gap
people were living in poverty.
between the rich and the poor as it
only serves as a poverty line.
(Yes) Gini Coefficient can reflect
In 2009, the Human Development
the issue of the gap between the
Report published by the United Nations
rich and the poor. (No) Gini
Development Programme indicated that
5
Coefficient only considers the
the Gini Coefficient of Hong Kong has
reached 0.434, while Hong Kong ranked
Yes/No
first among 27 advanced economies and
factor of income at a specific time
while
other
opportunity
became the region with the largest gap
factors
and
the
such
as
whole
passage of life have not been
between the rich and the poor.
taken into account.
12
Indicators and trends of the gap between the rich and the poor in Hong Kong
What is the gap between the rich and the poor?
The gap between the rich and the poor refers to the inequality
in distributing wealth or aggregate revenue. Poverty and
inequality are closely linked. Unfair social systems in the
community contribute to the gap between the rich and the
poor to a certain extent as these systems allow some people to
have more wealth than others.
Worksheet (1): Is there really a large gap between
the rich and the poor in Hong Kong?
: Changes of Gini Coefficient in Hong Kong
between 1971 and 2006
1971
1976
1981
1986
1991
1996
2001
2006
0.430
0.429
0.451
0.453
0.476
0.518
0.525
0.533
Source: The Census and Statistics Department of the HKSAR Government
: An academic has defined Gini Coefficient as ...
The Gini Coefficient ranged from value 0 to 1, whereas the greater
the value, the more serious the unequal income distribution will be.
Generally, a value below 0.3 indicates a healthy situation, while a
value greater than 0.4 reaches the “warning line” of the developed
countries. A value of 0.6 or above indicates a large gap between the
rich and the poor and a risk of civil unrest. The government
concerned must note the situation and take appropriate policies and
measures to address the problem.
13
: Gini Coefficients of developed countries and regions
Gini Coefficients of Developed Countries and Regions
Ranking
Country/Region
Gini Coefficient
1
Hong Kong
0.434
2
Singapore
0.425
3
America
0.408
4
Israel
0.392
5
Portugal
0.385
6
New Zealand
0.362
7
Britain
0.36
8
Italy
0.36
9
Australia
0.352
10
Ireland
0.343
11
Greece
0.343
Source: The Human Development Report 2009 commissioned by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
1.
Describe the trend of change in Gini Coefficient of Hong Kong with reference to Source 1.
Gini Coefficient of Hong Kong has been growing from 1971 to 2006.
2.
Summarize and analyze these sources. Do you think there is a large gap between the rich and
the poor in Hong Kong? Why?
Yes. Source 1 indicates that the gap between the rich and the poor in Hong Kong has been
widening in the past thirty-five years. Source 2 reveals that the gap between the rich and the
poor in Hong Kong has reached the warning line. Worsening situation would lead to social
instability and civil unrest. Source 3 reveals that Hong Kong is the region with the largest gap
between the rich and the poor among all developed countries and regions.
14
Indicators for measuring the gap between the rich and the poor
There are a number of indicators used for measuring the gap between the rich and the poor. Among
them, Gini Coefficient is commonly used as an indicator to show the gap between the rich and the
poor among various social strata. Gini Coefficient ranged from value 0 to 1. A value of 0 means there
is a completely equal distribution of income, i.e. all households hold income equally. A value of 1
refers to the extreme situation of one household holding the total population income. Accordingly,
we can see how the social wealth is held and distributed.
Changes in the trend of the gap between the rich and the poor in Hong Kong (1971-2006)
1971
1976
1981
1986
1991
1996
2001
2006
0.430
0.429
0.451
0.453
0.476
0.518
0.525
0.533
Source: The Census and Statistics Department of the HKSAR Government
The above table reveals that the gap between the rich and the poor has been widening from 1970s to
now. While the rich people are holding more and more social wealth year by year, the poor people
are holding less and less wealth. It demonstrates the widening gap between the rich and the poor in
Hong Kong. In 2006, Gini Coefficient of Hong Kong is 0.533. With respect to the shares of
aggregate household income, 0.8% of the total original monthly household income was held by
households in the lowest decile group as compared to 41.4% by the top decile group. The gap
reached a high of 51.75 times. It is generally agreed that a Gini Coefficient value of greater than 0.4
reaches the warning line, i.e. most of the total population's income is held in a small group of people.
15
Consolidation Exercise (1)
Suppose you were the chairperson of a poverty concern group in Hong Kong. Summarize and
analyse the above sources. Write a letter on behalf of your group to the Chief Executive. Express
your views and appeals in respect of the current gap between the rich and poor in Hong Kong. Try to
urge the authorities to make a prompt and appropriate response to the issue.
Letter to the Chief Executive
16
Consolidation Exercise (2): Know more
about Hong Kong’s Gini Coefficient!
This is for students who have a higher academic ability with an aim to train
their skills in sorting data and collecting information with information
technology and to foster their habit and capability of independent learning.
Table 1: Changes in Gini Coefficient of Hong Kong between 1971 and 2006
Year
Gini
Coefficient
1971
1976
1981
1986
1991
1996
2001
2006
0.43
0.429
0.451
0.453
0.476
0.518
0.525
0.533
Source: The Census and Statistics Department of the HKSAR Government
1.
To facilitate our study and analysis of the data, which kind of chart should be applied to show
the figures in Table 1? Why?
Line Chart/Bar Chart. It facilitates a better understanding of changes and trends of the Gini
Coefficient over the years.
2.
Use Excel to draw a chart based on the above figures and paste it in the space below.
17
3.
How would you describe the changes and trends of Gini Coefficient of Hong Kong? What is
(are) the social problem(s) reflected by such changes and trends?
Gini Coefficient of Hong Kong has been growing from 1971 to 2006. It indicates that the gap
between the rich and the poor in Hong Kong has been widening in the past thirty-five years.
4.
Search a piece of news report in relation to this social issue. Paste it in the space below.
Paste the related news report here
5.
What you have found in reading the news? Write down the key points of the news in 150 to 200
words and explain its relation with the said social issue.
18
Pre-lesson Activity: “Poor People” living in Hong Kong
They are the Hong Kong people who may have to face poverty. Some of them even live in hunger.
Explain why they are facing such a situation with at least two reasons.
Reasons:
1.
They are not capable of working owing to
their poor health and illnesses.
2.
Their job skills are outdated.
Elderly
This part aims to
facilitate students’
understanding of
poverty among
different social strata
and the reasons
behind. Teachers may
choose to use this part
according to students’
abilities and needs.
Reasons:
Secondary
school
graduates
1.
They have no working experience.
2.
They do not have the required
qualifications.
Reasons:
1.
Their parents are of low income or
unemployed.
2.
Children living
in cubicle
apartments
They do not have the required
qualifications.
19
Reasons:
Middle-aged
couriers
1.
Unstable income.
2.
They do not have the required skills for a
high-income job.
Reasons:
1.
They are discriminated against because of
their race.
New immigrants from
South Asia
2.
Having difficulties in finding jobs due to
language barrier.
1.
What social strata do these people belong to?
2.
What are the “personal factors” and “social factors” leading to their poverty?
3.
Do you think they have the ability to escape from poverty? Why?
4.
Do you think the community should pay attention to their needs and problems and allocate
social resources to help them?
20
Through an analysis of the following cases, students may have a better
understanding of the daily life problems facing the poor people of Hong Kong,
reasons for their poverty and related impact. By doing so, students can suggest
ways of narrowing the gap between the rich and the poor in the context of Hong
Kong in the next learning stage.
Dear students, now we will have an opportunity to better
understand the life of people from all walks of life. I hope
you can further discuss on the gap between the rich and
the poor through an analysis of the following cases.
Case Study 1: Elderly Living Alone
Granny Chu is an elderly living alone. She lives in a cubicle apartment of 70 square feet in Sham
Shui Po. She lives on some $1,000 from picking cardboards and the Old Age Allowance of $1,135.
With a limited income, granny Chu did not buy many furniture for her cubicle apartment. A few
months ago, granny Chu got a TV from the “Electrical Appliances For The Elderly” Program
launched by St James' Settlement, but she rarely watches TV as the electricity charges are very high.
Moreover, granny Chu will only go to market at dusk in
hopes of getting vegetables at a lower price and cutting
expenses. In addition, granny Chu often breaks her meal
in batches for two or three days. It helps to avoid
wasting and save electricity and gas. When asked about
her wishes, she said she wishes to have a fresh fish for
Granny Chu
meal as she has not had it for 10 years.
1.
What social class does she belong to? (For example: grass roots, middle class, rich people)
Grass roots.
21
2.
Describe her living condition.
Living Condition
(a) Living
environment
(b) Source of
income
(c) Dining and
entertainment
3.
Bad; living in narrow and small cubicles.
Old Age Allowance, picking cardboards.
Breaks a meal in batches for 2-3 days; less entertainment; rarely watches TV as
electricity charges are high.
What are the factors leading to her poverty?
Having little savings and retirement protection; having difficulties in finding jobs for her age or
poor health after retirement.
4.
Do you think she will have the abilities or opportunities to improve her living condition? Why?
Yes, when she is given more Old Age Allowance by the government.
No, she will be in difficulties to find a job as she has no working skills.
22
Case Study 2: Hong Kong Children
Yin
I have to go to school without eating anything every day. Mom said
that she had to save the money for ordering my meals in school. I
really hate it when teachers ask us to do our homework with a
computer and surf the internet for information. There’s no computer in
our home. How can I finish these assignments? Moreover, teachers
often complain to my mom about my poor academic results and
suggest that I should have tutors for Chinese, English, Mathematics
and General Studies, just like Fun does. Our family income is only
$5,000 per month. We just can’t afford tutors. So Mom arranges some
free or low-cost tuition classes for me to help my studies.
You need not envy me, Yin. I’m quite busy every day! We live in
Mid-levels. Although there’s a driver to pick me up, it still takes
me one hour on the way to school every day. Besides, I have to
attend various tuition classes after school, learn Japanese and
French in holidays and study abroad in every vacation. Mom said
broadening my horizons would be helpful for me to study in a
good secondary school. If you don’t have a computer to do your
homework, I can give you an iPad. Since I already have three, it’s
alright to give you one for your studies...
1.
Fun
What social classes do they belong to? How can you tell? (For example: grass roots, middle
class, rich people)
Yin: He’s from a grass roots family as his family can’t afford computer and tutors.
Fun: She’s from a middle class or rich family as there’s a driver to pick her up every day and
she attends various extra-curricular activities and goes travelling in vacations.
23
2.
Try to compare their living conditions.
Living Condition
Case A: Yin
(a) Study
Case B: Fun
Quite a lot of resources. Besides owning
iPads, she also attends various
extra-curricular activities, including
learning foreign languages and taking
Not many resources. He has no
tuition classes. She can know about the
computer for study.
local conditions and customs of places
all over the world, broaden her horizons
and develop an international perspective
by travelling.
(b) Living
Environment
(c) Dining and
entertainment
Yin’s mother tries her best so that he
Rich. She lives in a luxury house in the
can order meals in school and attend
Mid-levels and has a private driver to
tuition classes. These efforts have
pick her up.
well shown her care about Yin.
Plenty of options. She owns three iPads,
Not mentioned in the text. Generally, more than what she actually needs. As
there will be limited or no choices she would get tired of these
for low income families in respect of entertainments, there would be the
dining and entertainment.
situation of prosperous in materials but
void in spirituality.
24
3.
What are the factors leading to Yin's poverty?
Low income family; his parents are in difficulties to find jobs as they have to take care of him.
Yin’s parents might be workers with lower qualifications and skills that would have an adverse
effect on their career opportunities and incomes, leading to their poor living condition.
4.
Do you think Yin will have the ability and opportunity to improve his family’s living condition
in the future? Why?
Yes. Yin could gain higher income in the future by obtaining educational qualifications and/or
professional qualifications.
No. Yin’s horizon and competitiveness are limited as he does not have the learning resources
required for his studies.
5.
What do you think should be done to provide access for Yin to fair learning opportunities?
Equivalent learning opportunities should be offered to Yin. For example, by providing support
for grass roots students in respect of learning process and learning resources in order to narrow
the gap between grass roots students and well-off students.
25
Case Study 3: Life of the Working Poor
“Rest and work and work” is the best description of my life. I’m Chan Ming, 50 years old. I live
with my wife and my children. I have to work 12 hours every day as a newspaper hawker for a
monthly income of $5,000. Four of us live in a 140 square feet flat in Cheung Sha Wan. The monthly
rent costs $2,600. In addition, there are expenses of utility, food, children’s school lunches and
miscellaneous items, clothing, entertainment and traffic. It really makes me very upset!
I work every day for survival. I still work very hard, in a hope to
improve the current living condition. I have tried to look for a
better-paid job. However, since I have only attained primary
education and I don't know anything about computer operation, the
opportunity to find a better job is quite slim. It’s not bad that I have
a permanent job. Some fellow townsmen having similar
backgrounds to mine can only do part-time, casual or temporary
jobs such as cleaner, delivery staff and courier. As we all know, “A
contented mind is a perpetual feast”. I hope that my children will
Chan Ming
become outstanding someday and find good jobs to make us proud.
1.
What social class does he belong to? How can you tell? (For example: grass roots, middle class,
rich people)
Grass roots. It is because he works 12 hours every day for a monthly income of only $5,000 and
has to pay the expenses for a family of four.
26
2.
Analyse his living condition.
Living Condition
(a) Living
Environment
(b) Source of
income
(c) Dining and
entertainment
3.
Poor condition. He and his family live in a 140 square feet flat with an income
that is unable to cover all of the living costs.
Salary for working as a newspaper hawker, $5,000 per month.
Limited or even no choices. With a humble income, it’s difficult for him to
afford costly expenses of dining and entertainment.
What is his living quality? Do you think it is reasonable for him to live this life?
His living quality is quite harsh. I think it’s unreasonable because he works 12 hours every day.
He works hard but he cannot obtain reasonable income and a life with dignity.
I think it’s reasonable. It is because he has a low working ability and has only attained primary
education. He doesn’t know anything about computer. His low salary just reflects the demand
and supply in job market.
27
4.
Do you think he will have the ability or opportunity to improve his living condition? Why?
Yes. He could obtain better educational qualification and job skills through on-the-job training
and continuing education, which can help to increase his income.
No. It is because he works 12 hours every day yet just to make ends meet. Accordingly he
doesn’t have the time for studies or training.
5.
Chan Ming has said, “I hope that my children will become outstanding someday and find good
jobs to make us proud.” Do you think his children will have opportunities to find well-paid jobs?
Why?
Yes. It is because he nurtures his children with all his resources and hopes.
No. Although Chan Ming has hopes, the objective conditions and environment, social resources
and his social network make him unable to nurture his children to become outstanding in the
future.
28
Case Study 4: The Voice of “White Collar”
I’m Cheung Kin Tak, 33 years old. I graduated from university and work as an accountant for a
monthly income of $18,000. My family has said that as I have got a job in an accountancy firm in
Central, I am a professional to a certain extent and should live a comfortable life. It is what the
people say, “worse off than some, and better off than many.” However, the general price level keeps
rising, while the property prices remain high. As a group of “white collars”, we are actually living a
terrible life. Nobody knows the troubles behind the doors. Alas!
I have formed a family and bought a private flat of 400 square feet at Yuen Long with my wife using
our money saved in the past years. We have to pay $8,000 for the mortgage every month. Our son
has just turned three years old. To ensure that our son will live a better life, my wife has to work as a
teacher at a primary school for a monthly income of around $20,000. Therefore, we have to hire a
foreign domestic helper to take care of our son.
In fact, there is a huge pressure facing our life, particularly in the aspect of our jobs. The economy is
experiencing a violent fluctuation. When there is an economic depression, many companies will
choose to “fire” people to reduce expenditure. To avoid being the first “main targets”, my colleagues
work harder than usual and work over time voluntarily until midnight even we don’t get any
overtime pay. We have no choice. There is a heavy burden on us in respect of different expenses - the
monthly mortgage payment for our flat, tuition fees and expenses for extra-curricular activities for
our son, and, much worse, the tax. Therefore, we will only spend when necessary. Financial
management with prudence is the best way out!
We are usually neglected in the community. The government doesn’t
give us any support or protection. Therefore, we can only plan our
future on our own for the development of our child and our life when
we retire.
Cheung
Kin Tak
29
1.
What social class does he belong to? How can you tell? (For example: grass roots, middle class,
rich people)
Middle class. It is because the monthly income of his family is $38,000 and he and his wife own
a private property.
2.
Do you think his living is a “quality life”? Why?
No. It is because he has an unstable job and is worrying about unemployment. His expenses and
burdens are heavy, while no social support or protection has been given to him.
3.
Do you think in the future the son of Cheung Kin Tak can stay in the social class of his father or
even climb up to the upper class? Why?
Yes. It is because Mr. Cheung has invested a lot of resources in the education of his son, e.g. he
allows his son to join extra-curricular activities to broaden horizons. It enables his son to be one
of the middle class or a well-off person.
No. It is because Mr. Cheung does not have many assets. He finds difficulties in accumulating
wealth. In the case of asset depreciation, his son will fall out of the middle class when inheriting
his capital.
30
Worksheet for Organizing Concepts in Case Discussion
1.
Based on the analysis of the above five cases, can you tell what social strata do they belong to?
Fill in the following table.
Upper Class:
Fun
Opportunity
of Social
Mobility
Middle Class:
Mr. Cheung
Grass Roots:
Chan Ming, Yin, Granny Chu
31
2.
Based on the cases, what are the problems facing the grass roots?
Low income and long working hours. As they do not possess the working skills required, they
are less competitive and receiving low incomes. Accordingly, they cannot accumulate wealth for
their children and provide their children with access to quality education. Therefore, their
children will have slim opportunities in shaking off poverty.
3.
Do you think the grass roots will have the ability and opportunity to climb up the social ladder
and shake off poverty on their own so that the gap between the rich and the poor in Hong Kong
would be narrowed? Why?
Yes. It is because they can gain more access to education on their own and increase their
income.
No. It is because the problem of the gap between the rich and the poor in Hong Kong is a
structural problem. The rich holds the power of allocating resources, leading to preferential
allocation of more resource to the rich, when effort of an individual cannot change the situation.
32
Extended Exercise: Is “Poverty” the Fault of the Individual?
Recently, a non-profit-making organization working in the field of poverty reduction in Hong Kong
has launched a march to draw government’s and public’s attention to the gap between the rich and
the poor and express the voice of poor people in Hong Kong. The following is the poster of the
event.
It’s designed for students with higher academic ability with an aim to consolidate the
learning outcomes in the last phase so that they can further discuss the causes of the
gap between the rich and the poor in Hong Kong.
March Against the Gap between the Rich and the Poor
Join us on May Day!
Hong Kong is one of the places with the largest gap between the rich and the poor. This unfair
situation is due to the fact that a small group of people hold social resources and power for a
long time! In this May Day, let’s Say No to the gap between the rich and the poor!
We strongly demand for:

Legislation on right to collective bargaining
and reasonable pay rise

Minimum wage of $33 per hour

Provision of living allowances for low
income groups

Legislation on standard working
hours which should be set at 8 hours
per day; 1.5 times of wages should
be paid to over-time work beyond
the standard working hours

Better treatment for part-time and
contract workers

Measures against outsourcing public
services

Measures that support international
conventions which protect domestic
workers
33
Date: 1 May 2010
Starting Time: 2:30 p.m.
Rallying Point: Soccer Pitches at the
Victoria Park
Destination: Central Government Offices
Right to collective bargaining:
Employer must recognize and negotiate with the employee or trade union
that has obtained general mandate. Matters involved in negotiations may
include terms and conditions of employment, working environment, job
allocation, procedures with respect to disciplinary actions on employees.
Generally, right to collective bargaining can be put into practice by the way of legislation. The
Legislative Council of Hong Kong (the law-making body of Hong Kong before reunification) had
passed the Employee's Rights to Representation, Consultation and Collective Bargaining Ordinance
in 1997 that recognized the right to collective bargaining. However, it was suspended and finally
repealed by the Provisional Legislative Council in the same year after reunification. Therefore, there
is still no law or regulation to protect the right to collective bargaining for employees in Hong Kong.
Minimum wage:
Minimum wage is set for ensuring the minimum monthly or hourly pay payable to low income
people, by which all employers must pay their employees the statutory minimum wage. The
Minimum Wage Ordinance was passed in 2010 to ensure the implementation of policy in relation to
minimum wage in Hong Kong. The initial statutory minimum wage rate is $28 per hour and comes
into force on 1 May 2011.
Outsourcing public services:
Outsourcing public services means that services previously provided by the government would be
provided by private companies, when the government will pay these companies for their services.
According to a survey on government outsourcing services conducted by the Efficiency Unit of the
government, outsourcing projects are mainly engineering and construction projects, and, to a lesser
extent, environmental hygiene and building and property management. It is the policy of the
government to maintain a small and efficient government, promote business and job opportunities in
the private sector and deliver high quality government services to the general public through
outsourcing its services (Source: the Efficiency Unit, June 2006, LC Paper No. CB(2)
2477/05-06(01)). However, problems such as the competition brought in by outsourcing public
services, profit-oriented private contractors and the fact that employees will only be accountable to
their companies but not the general public have been widely criticized by a number of people who
believe that the benefit of outsourcing public services to the society as a whole is in doubt.
34
1.
Who would attend this march? Why?
Workers, domestic workers, outsourcing workers, low income people, casual workers. Because
the matters this march strives for (minimum wage, right to collective bargaining, etc.) are most
relevant to their working conditions.
2.
According to the flyer, “Hong Kong is one of the places with the largest gap between the rich
and the poor. This unfair situation is due to the fact that a small group of people hold social
resources and power for a long time!” Who do you think is “a small group of people”? Why?
The rich. It is because the current Gini Coefficient of Hong Kong exceeds 0.53, reflecting the
seriousness of the gap between the rich and the poor. The rich people hold all social resources
and powers for a long time. Functional constituencies of the Legislative Council and the
composition of all kinds of policy advisory committees are such examples.
3.
Do you agree that “Hong Kong is one of the places with the largest gap between the rich and the
poor.”? Explain.
Yes. When comparing Hong Kong’s Gini Coefficient with the rest of the world, it has been
shown that there is a large gap between the rich and the poor in Hong Kong.
No. Hong Kong has a social welfare system that protects the basic living needs of the poor.
35
4.
Why does the organization make the following demands to the Government and the community?
Can you explain the reasons and objectives?
Demands
Reasons & Objectives
Only with right to collective bargaining can workers conduct
Legislations on right to collective negotiations with the management to determine reasonable
bargaining and reasonable pay rise
wage. Otherwise, the management can set the wage solely on
its own needs, foiling workers’ search for reasonable wages.
Minimum wage of $33 per hour
Currently, the wage of low income workers in Hong Kong is
far below $33. $33 is set to guarantee reasonable wage for
workers and improve their lives.
Some people work with a very low income. They are the
Provision of living allowances for
working poor. Provision of living allowances for low income
low income groups
groups can help to improve their lives.
Legislation on standard working
Standard working hours will guarantee the quality of work
hours which should be set at 8 hours
since over-time work leads to low efficiency and dangers. It
per day; 1.5 times of wages should
ensures that workers will work with dignity and over-time pay
be paid to over-time work beyond
is part of their reasonable returns.
the standard working hours
36
Part-time and contract workers usually do not have reasonable
Better treatment for part-time and protection such as healthcare and leave. They deserve
contract workers
reasonable treatments as they have made significant
contributions.
Against outsourcing public services
In outsourcing public services, outsourcing companies may
cut the wages and welfares of workers for more profit.
Profit-making shall not be the major objective of providing
public services. Outsourcing public services could lead to a
deviation from the objective of providing social services.
Also, it is difficult for the government to monitor service
quality.
Domestic workers, who are mainly foreign domestic helpers,
Support international conventions
should be given the same protection as those provided to all
which protect domestic workers
other workers.
37
5.
Suppose you are speaking for the poor in Hong Kong. What other suggestions you would like to
come up with? Raise three suggestions.
Concerns & Wishes of Citizens:
I wish to represent
，
，
to make demands to the Government about
because
I wish to represent
，
，
to make demands to the Government about
because
I wish to represent
，
，
to make demands to the Government about
because
38
6.
Based on the above information and discussion as well as your own knowledge, analyse the
cause(s) of the large gap between the rich and the poor in Hong Kong.
39
Worksheet (2): What is the impact of the gap
between the rich and the poor on Hong Kong?
 Is the gap between the rich and the poor worth our attention? What will be the
problems facing the community if no action is taken?
 How can we reduce the gap between the rich and the poor? Have the government,
non-governmental organizations and individuals made any efforts to reduce this
gap?
 Is it the “best” and “fairest” way to deal with the problem by distributing wealth to
all people in our community equally?
 The rich people are earning money and accumulating wealth by their own efforts,
aren’t they? Why must they help the poor in our community? Are the rich obliged
to do so?
Public opinion survey on harmonious society of Hong Kong conducted by the Hong Kong
Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies, CUHK:
The Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific studies, CUHK conducted a survey on the extent of
harmony of Hong Kong’ society during the period between the end of February 2010 and the
beginning of March. In this survey, the Institute had telephone-interviewed 1,005 residents of over 18
years old. Only 26.5% of the respondents agreed that Hong Kong was a harmonious society. The
survey also showed that all the seven factors affecting the harmony of society got worse compared
with that of two years ago. Among them, the problem of the gap between the rich and the poor
ranked first, with 64.4% of the respondents considered it a serious problem, representing an increase
of 2.5% compared to that of two years ago.
40
The factors that the general public think would affect the harmony of society
Rank
Factor
Percentage of respondents
consider it a serious problem
1
Gap between the rich and the poor
64.4%
2
Political disputes
59.2%
3
Friction between the general public and big
businesses
56.8%
4
Friction between the government and the general
public
56%
5
Family disputes
43.4%
6
The Disadvantaged
39.8%
7
Friction between employees and employers
28%
Source: The Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies, CUHK
Why does the gap between the rich and the poor become the most critical factor affecting social
harmony?
It is because the problem of the gap between the rich and the poor leads to the poor livelihoods
among the low income people and reflects the unfairness and inequality in terms of the economy of
our society. Accordingly, it has become the most critical factor affecting social harmony.
Impact of the gap between the rich and the poor on Hong Kong
Social cohesion
The problem of the gap between the rich and the poor may weaken social cohesion. The gap between
the rich and the poor may lead to social inequality. The diverse lifestyles and values of different
social strata could lead to social barriers or even prejudice. It could further lead to discontents among
different social strata. Social cohesion may then be weakened. For example, the hostility to the rich
and the spread of the saying of “CSSA breeds laziness” could lead to the friction between people
from different social strata.
41
Development of economy
The gap between the rich and the poor may affect the development of economy. On one hand, the
gap between the rich and the poor may lead to problems of unemployment and low income which
intensify the social instability and risks. In this case, people need to work harder to secure their jobs.
It could be a driving force for the development of the economy. On the other hand, the gap between
the rich and the poor means a small group of people hold the wealth. When those from the middle
and lower classes fail to catch up with the development of economy, they may lose their jobs and
lead to the loss of social labour force.
Efforts of the government, non-governmental organizations and individuals in
narrowing the gap between the rich and the poor as well as the constraints
Personal aspect
Generally speaking, people can reduce the gap between the rich and the poor by working hard,
raising their competitiveness and “work more, earn more”. However, notwithstanding their efforts,
there are limitations within the system facing them. For example, the high transportation fares from
homes to working places, changes in types of jobs in the community and lack of time for caring
about their family members and their basic needs could weaken the motive of taking up jobs.
Accordingly, it’s difficult for people to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor by their own
efforts.
Social aspect
The government and non-governmental organizations can help to reduce the gap between the rich
and the poor by introducing poverty alleviation policies and plans. For example, the government
proposed the Textbook Assistance for Students in Need, the Work Incentive Transport Subsidy
Scheme and the Community Care Fund for the purpose of reducing the gap between the rich and the
poor. Moreover, some non-governmental organizations have introduced various community
programs, including cooperatives and community enterprises for the purpose of helping the poor and
people in need to work and live so that their living conditions could be improved. However, some
people in the community think that poverty alleviation policies equal to “steal from the rich and give
to the poor”. Conversely, the poor should “work for welfare” and enter the labour market to shake off
poverty. Such opinions form pressures on the promotion of poverty alleviation policies by the
government. Furthermore, limited resources, time and space make it difficult for the government and
non-governmental organizations to promote poverty alleviation policies comprehensively and
address the problem of the gap between the rich and the poor thoroughly.
42
Worksheet (3): What can the government and non-governmental
organizations do to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor?
1.
In recent years, a number of measures have been taken by the government and
non-governmental organizations to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor. Analyse the
following measures.
(i)
Who are the target groups?
(ii) Which group / organization is responsible for implementing the measures?
Implemented measures
(1) CSSA
(2) School Textbook Assistance
Scheme and Student Travel
Subsidy Scheme
(3) Work Incentive Transport
Subsidy Scheme
(4) Employment Programme for
the Middle-aged
(5) Community Care Fund
Targets
Group / organization that
implements the measures
Low income groups
Social Welfare Department
Students from low
Student Financial Assistance Agency
income households
(SFAA)
Low income groups
Labour Department
Unemployed
middle-aged job
Labour Department
seekers
People facing
economic difficulties
43
Home Affairs Bureau
(6) Subsidy Scheme for Internet
Access Charges
(7) Public housing
Students from low
income households
SFAA
Housing Department/Housing
Grass roots
Authority
(8) Old Age Allowance under the
Social Security Allowance
Scheme (commonly referred
Elderly
Social Welfare Department
to as “fruit-money”)
(9) Tertiary Student Finance
Scheme - Publicly-funded
Programmes
(10) Hearty Anti-Poverty Project
for Youngsters (HAPPY)
2.
Students from low
income households
Students from low
income households
SFAA
Christian Family Service Centre and
Federation of Parent Teacher
Associations in Kwun Tong District
Do you think these measures can help to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor? Please
give your comments.
Yes. It is because they can effectively address the needs of low income people in their daily life.
No. It is because the unfairness still exists, and these measures cannot cure the problem to the
root, e.g. uneven income distribution and unequal opportunities.
44
3.
Apart from reducing the gap between the rich and the poor, the government has launched these
schemes for other purposes. Analyse and find out which one is the most effective measure to
achieve the following effects.
(i) Providing immediate assistance to low income groups in the community;
(ii) Enhancing the competitiveness of low income groups and encourage them to return to the
labour market;
(iii) Reducing intergenerational poverty;
(iv) Minimizing the population of working poor.
(i)
CSSA. Providing financial aid immediately.
(ii) Employment Programme for the Middle-aged. Retraining skills needed for working in the
future.
(iii) Tertiary Student Finance Scheme - Publicly-funded Programmes; School Textbook
Assistance Scheme and Student Travel Subsidy Scheme; Subsidy Scheme for Internet
Access Charges.
Investing resources on students to increase the opportunities for the next generation to
shake off poverty.
(iv) Work Incentive Transport Subsidy Scheme. Reducing the transportation expenses from
homes to working places.
45
4.
In Hong Kong today, various measures have been taken by different non-governmental
organizations and government departments for the low income people in need. However, some
people think that these measures cannot help those people. Look at the following people’s
situations and analyse the limitations facing them.
Case
Personal limitation
(a) Ms Chan lives in Tin Shui Wai. Even Apart from high transportation fares, Ms Chan has to
though the government has implemented spend lots of time on transport to work in urban area.
the Work Incentive Transport Subsidy It’s very exhausting and inefficient. Therefore, she
Scheme, it does nothing to enhance her doesn’t want to work in urban area.
motive to work in urban area.
(b) Mrs Huang extremely hopes to head out The income from work can’t make up for the
to work to increase household income, parent-child family time. Cultivating children and
but she has two daughters who need to be getting along with them is more important to Mrs
looked after. As a result, she can’t go out Huang than work. Thus, Mrs Huang has no intention
to work.
5.
of looking for jobs in urban area.
Which low income groups are ignored by our society? What are their needs? How can they be
helped?
Any reasonable and relevant answers are acceptable.
46
Concept map of upholding core social values
Core social values
Freedom
The tension between values
Equality
Economic
equality
Freedom of opinions and expressions
Reasons for
freedom of opinion
and expression
Limitation on
freedom of opinion
and expression
Pursuit of the truth
Low value
speeches
Protect democratic
procedures
Indication of the gap
between the rich and the
poor: Gini Coefficient
Impact of the gap
between the rich and the
poor
Harmful speeches
Expressing oneself
Methods to promote freedom of
opinion and expression
Methods of reducing the gap
between the rich and the poor
The degree of importance accorded to
the freedom of opinion and
expression by different organizations
Government
Political and
social groups
Efforts made by organizations in
reducing the gap between the rich and
the poor and their limitation
Media
Non-governmental
organizations
Core values established by different groups
Core Concept
Extended Concept
47
Individual