Dear Editor,

Being aware of the soaring wealth disparity in Hong Kong, many local citizens are concerned about this everwidening wealth gap in which the poor are getting poorer and the rich are getting richer. Obviously, this phenomenon is a great problem in Hong Kong. In view of this, I am writing to express my opinions on this issue.

In fact, there are many drawbacks caused by the problem. Not only does the wealth disparity lower the standard of living of the general public, but it also causes many social problems, such as social division and intergenerational poverty. Facing such an income inequality, the underprivileged people have to work around the clock to make ends meet.

However, the rich people can enjoy their luxurious material life. Moreover, due to the poor living condition, poor people are only able to rent a small flat to live. Having no opportunity to become rich, the poor start to grudge the rich which would affect the social stability. In order to narrow the rich-poor gap, several remedial measures should be taken by the government.

Firstly, the government should raise the welfare expenditure by offering more financial aids to the needy in Hong Kong in order to relieve their financial burden. Minimum wage can be taken as well as welfare. Having enough income to sustain their life, the wealth disparity can be alleviated.

Secondly, the government should increase the supply of public housing to enhance the quality of life of the poor. In Hong Kong, there are many people still living in an appalling condition as they do not have the ability buy a flat. Only when the supply of the public housing is enlarged, can the standard of living of people be improved and the rich-poor
gap be narrowed.

Thirdly, the government can organise more job-training courses to the low-skilled labors to increase their competitiveness. By equipping them with the useful skills and techniques, they would have more opportunities to get a decent job to mobilize their social ladder.

As you can see, the wealth disparity is such an urgent problem that we should deal with it. I think the government should put in more efforts to tackle the problem.

Yours faithfully,

6B Wilson Chan
HHCKLA BUDDHIST CHING KOK SECONDARY SCHOOL