More than 1,800 applications have been received from employers in the construction industry for the Employment Support Scheme for the Construction Sector (ESSC) under the second round of the Anti-epidemic Fund. The Construction Industry Council (CIC) is vetting the applications with an aim of starting to disburse subsidies in mid-August.
“We noted recently that some employers of casual employees in the industry were informed that their applications for the Employment Support Scheme (ESS) had been rejected due to failure to fulfil the relevant requirements,” a spokesman for the Development Bureau said on 11 August 2020.
“When they received the notification, application for the ESSC had already closed and they were unable to submit applications in time. We are aware of the situation and if requested by these employers, we will relay their cases to the ESSC for consideration in order to render appropriate assistance to the qualified employers in accordance with our aim of supporting employment as far as possible,” he added.
The spokesman emphasised that the above arrangement is to assist those employers who should have submitted their applications to the ESSC instead of the ESS. It is not an extension of the application period of the ESSC per se.
As of 9 August 2020, more than HKD4.8 billion in subsidies had been disbursed to some 490,000 construction workers and some 19,000 construction-related enterprises. The application deadline for other relief measures for the construction sector under the Anti-epidemic Fund is 31 August 2020. Further details are available at the CIC website or call the CIC at 3199 7377 for more information. — Construction+ Online
