Eligible HK people encouraged to join mainland social security system

Chinese mainland officials invited more eligible Hong Kong residents to join the mainland's social security system and enjoy more safeguards in a seminar on relevant policies organized in Hong Kong on Monday.

Since Jan 1, 2020, residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan who live, work or study on the mainland have been eligible for the mainland's social security benefits.

Residents hired by China's enterprises, the self-employed, retirees, and students can apply for different insurance systems, including medical, pension, work-related injury, unemployment, and maternity insurance.

Over 160,000 Hong Kong and Macao people signed up for the mainland's pension insurance scheme by October 2021, while over 80,000 applied for the work-related injury insurance and over 70,000 availed of unemployment insurance, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security said recently.

During the information session on Monday, mainland officials provided details about the specific procedures for applying for the different insurance systems.

Delivering a speech via video, Li Zhong, vice-minister of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, said allowing Hong Kong people to participate in mainland's social insurance system demonstrates the central government's strong support for Hong Kong's development and improvement of people's livelihood.

Shi Zihai, deputy director of the National Healthcare Security Administration who also spoke via video, is hopeful that the measure will better facilitate the integrated development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and help maintain Hong Kong's long-term stability.

Lam Shuk-yee, honorary president of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, said that his organization will continue to raise Hong Kong people's awareness about the mainland social insurance policies through its service centers in Hong Kong and the mainland.

The event was co-organized by the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions and the Federation of Hong Kong Guangdong Community Organizations. Over 200 people attended the event.