During the Easter Holidays, Hong Kong workers will spend less because of the double blows of economic recession and severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars). The government announced on April 15th that the unemployment rates for the first quarter is 7.5%. However, the latest figures have not reflected the impact of the Sars since its outbreak in mid-March. A survey shows that generally speaking employees will cut down their eating outside, purchasing and entertainment during the Easter Holidays. This will damage the restaurants, retail outlets and entertainment industrials. Most of those being interviewed asked the government to set up, as soon as possible, relief measures that would help Hong Kong to pass through this difficult period. Those measures should include waiving of rates, water and sewage charges. Also the government should give loans to businesses badly hit by the outbreak and to create jobs for the unemployed.

      The Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU) telephoned by random 633 employees during the Easter Holidays. Almost 58% said that they would spend less when compared with the same period last year. 90% revealed that they would cut down their eating outside and purchasing. 80% said they would reduce their travel and entertainment activities.

      Facing crises of economic downhill, the HKCTU called on the government to abandon its tight control over financial policies. The government should allocate additional funding to lighten the burden of ordinary citizens and using all means to revive the economy. HKCTU also suggested that only through economic revival, the creation of more jobs and steady employment, the workers in Hong Kong could change for a better livelihood.

      The HKCTU's Social Affairs Committee Chairperson Mr. Cheng Ching-fat said the Financial Budget put forward by the Financial Secretary last month is no longer suitable. The government should put forward a new emergency financial budget that reflects the present economic and livelihood crises. Mr. Cheng proposed that the government should at least waive rates, water and sewage charges for a quarter. The proposal to increase salary tax that would affect the livelihood of citizens should be suspended. The government should allocate funding to create not less than 40,000 jobs in the nursing, cleaning and social service sectors. These measures would restore the confidence of the Hong Kong citizens and will stimulate their spending.

      At the same time due to the atypical pneumonia outbreak many enterprises have suffered financial difficulties. The HKCTU proposes that the government should directly subsidize those affected enterprises. As for the workers, who lost their jobs because of Sars, the HKCTU hope that the government would set up "Unemployment Relief Fund" to assist them. " The employers must not use Sars as an excuse to lay off workers ", Mr. Cheng said.

      HKCTU will organize a May Day Rally - "Respect" and "Solidarity". Participants will march from the Victoria Park to the Central Government Offices.