A group of asylum seekers staged a seven-hour stand-off yesterday at an office in Prince Edward that gives them material aid, calling for better housing conditions.
Amid the presence of police, they tried to storm the office of the International Social Service Hong Kong branch, insisting on a group meeting with a director whom they said was scheduled to talk to them at 11am.
Tensions broke out at the Hospital Authority's Li Po Chun Health Centre on Arran Street after about 10 asylum seekers - from Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Pakistan and elsewhere - arrived for the meeting, but found themselves barred from entry. Later 40 more arrived.
The building houses the ISS section that handles the provision of in-kind aid for asylum seekers. Since 2006, the ISS has been commissioned by the Social Welfare Department to provide assistance in the form of housing, food, transport allowances, clothing and other material provisions.
Cosmo Beatson, executive director of asylum support group Vision First, said ISS staff stationed a security guard outside and locked the door from the inside. They also called the police.
The office suggested they meet Panares one by one, but the asylum seekers refused, saying they wanted to meet as a group.
Several of them banged persistently on the doors and tried to push through dozens of policemen, some of whom held batons and shields.
Panares said the asylum benefits system was under review and the Legislative Council was expected to discuss it in the autumn. "Yes, the situation sucks, and it's being reviewed, but no matter how many times you come to my office and make threats, if there is no policy change, we are stuck with the situation," she said.
"At the moment, I am not getting any additional funds."
In the last financial year, the ISS had a budget of HK$203 million from the department.
AFTER LIVING THEIR ENTIRE LIVES IN SHIT HOLES MUSLIMS SEEMS TO BE UNDER IMPRESSION THAT THEY ARE ENTITLED TO FIVE STAR ACCOMMODATIONS.
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