The Executive Council has finished drafting a financial support plan for cabbies to subsidise their fuel and energy costs, in the wake of the negative impact of the city’s recent COVID-19 outbreak, but they will not be allowed to receive financial support twice if they are simultaneously engaged in other types of self-employment.
The announcement was made on Friday by the spokesperson for the Executive Council, Secretary for Administration and Justice André Cheong Weng Chon. Transport Bureau (DSAT) Director Kelvin Lam Hin San, Deputy Director General for Financial Services Bureau (DSF) Chong Seng Sam were in attendance at the press conference held at the government’s headquarters.
The plan will take effect after its promulgation in the Official Gazette (BO).
According to the plan, taxi drivers who have a DSAT permit valid between January 1 to July 31 this year will receive a one-off payment of 12,000 patacas as a fuel and energy subsidy if their taxis operated for more than 35 hours during the 7-month period, and they will be disbursed from next month.
The government’s ongoing financial support plan for workers, the self-employed and businesses stipulates that seven types of self-employed people, i.e., taxi drivers, tricycle riders, vendors and stall owners, tourist guides, water taxi operators, fisherfolk and insurance agents, will receive a one-off payment of 10,000 patacas each, while the cabbies’ support plan stipulates that those who are also eligible for the above plan will only receive the balance after deducting the duplicated amount, which means that they will only receive 2,000 patacas for the taxi fuel and energy subsidy.
The government’s financial support for workers, the self-employed and businesses, released on July 29, will be disbursed next Wednesday, in which the cabbies’ support plan is included.
Speaking during Friday’s press conference, Lam pointed out that an estimated 4,200 people will be eligible for the cabbies’ support plan, but he was quick to add that only 800 people will receive the full 12,000-pataca payment, adding that the government has “weighed up” views from all sectors of the community, in order to support the taxi sector.
The plan stipulates that any beneficiary who makes a false statement, provides incorrect or inaccurate information, or uses any illegal means to obtain the subsidy will be liable to repay the improperly obtained subsidy and also face any the legal consequences.
The bureau has set up an online enquiry system for taxi drivers to check their eligibility for the subsidy, which will be launched from August 22.
This undated handout picture provided by the government’s Executive Council shows the taxi rank near the Barrier Gate.
