Comment on the pros and cons of privatization of social welfare services in Hong Kong society. Use the “LINK-REIT” as an example to illustrate your answer.
TOPIC 6: COMMENT ON THE PROS AND CONS OF PRIVATIZATION OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES IN HONG KONG SOCIETY. USE THE "LINK-REIT" AS AN EXAMPLE TO ILLUSTRATE YOUR ANSWER.
INTRODUCTION
The Link-Reit (Real Estate Investment Trust) has long been a controversial issue ever since its launch. The issue in fact concerns the privatization of welfare services. The purpose of this paper is to review the worthiness of privatization in the midst of conflicts of interests among different groups of people in Hong Kong. For a start, the definition of privatization of welfare services will be stated. Then, there would be a brief summary on the privatization development in Hong Kong. As this paper will focus on discussing privatization by using the Link-Reit as an example, the background information of Link-Reit will be given. The merits and demerits of privatization of social welfare services will be reviewed in the context of the Link-Reit. Eventually, recommendations regarding the disadvantages of privatization will be given. The scope of privatization to be discussed in this paper will be confined to privatization of public housing.
DEFINITION OF PRIVATIZATION OF WELFARE SERVICES
Privatization of welfare services is defined as the transfer of the provision of welfare services from the public sector to the private sector. Le Grand & R. Robinson (1984) pointed out that any reduction of the roles of the government in welfare provision, such as direct provision, subsidy and regulation, is defined as the introduction of the process of privatization of welfare services. It is a way to enhance the equitable distribution of social resources. A. Walker (1984) stated that privatization takes place when responsibility for a service or a particular aspect of service delivery passes wholly or in part, to the private sector and when market criteria, such as profit or ability to pay, are used to ration or distribute benefits and services. Asher (1987) is in support of the rationale behind
INTRODUCTION
The Link-Reit (Real Estate Investment Trust) has long been a controversial issue ever since its launch. The issue in fact concerns the privatization of welfare services. The purpose of this paper is to review the worthiness of privatization in the midst of conflicts of interests among different groups of people in Hong Kong. For a start, the definition of privatization of welfare services will be stated. Then, there would be a brief summary on the privatization development in Hong Kong. As this paper will focus on discussing privatization by using the Link-Reit as an example, the background information of Link-Reit will be given. The merits and demerits of privatization of social welfare services will be reviewed in the context of the Link-Reit. Eventually, recommendations regarding the disadvantages of privatization will be given. The scope of privatization to be discussed in this paper will be confined to privatization of public housing.
DEFINITION OF PRIVATIZATION OF WELFARE SERVICES
Privatization of welfare services is defined as the transfer of the provision of welfare services from the public sector to the private sector. Le Grand & R. Robinson (1984) pointed out that any reduction of the roles of the government in welfare provision, such as direct provision, subsidy and regulation, is defined as the introduction of the process of privatization of welfare services. It is a way to enhance the equitable distribution of social resources. A. Walker (1984) stated that privatization takes place when responsibility for a service or a particular aspect of service delivery passes wholly or in part, to the private sector and when market criteria, such as profit or ability to pay, are used to ration or distribute benefits and services. Asher (1987) is in support of the rationale behind
Bibliography: Madsen Pirie, (1998), Privatization, Aldershot, Hampshire, England : Wildwood House M South China Morning Post, "Housing estate patients face higher clinic fees", Nov 4, 2009 South China Morning Post, "New Link chief not to be feared, tenants told", Jan 31, 2007 South China Morning Post, "Profits come first", April 28, 2007 The editorial of Ming Po, "Re-launch of Link Reit", Ming Po, 8 September, 2005 Wiltshire, K., (1987), Privatization : the British Experience - an Australian Perspective Committee for Economic Development, Melbourne, Longman Cheshire ADDIN EN.REFLIST