Introduction
The Legislative Council operates a
Redress System to receive and handle complaints from individual members of the public and deputations who are aggrieved by government actions or policies. It also deals with public representations on government policies and legislation, as well as other matters of public concern.
Members take turns, in groups of nine, to be on duty each week to oversee the Redress System, and to receive and handle representations of and complaints made by deputations. During their duty week, Members also take turns to undertake “ward duty” during which they meet with individual members of the public and provide guidance to staff on the processing of cases.
Significant cases handled
Safety measures for a public cemetery
A deputation sought Members’ assistance on the safety concern of a narrow footpath on the slope of a public cemetery and requested the provision of safety measures. In response to the Members’ request and subsequent to the site visit with Members, the Administration undertook to install safety warning signposts linked with chains at the edge of the footpath to raise the safety awareness of grave sweepers. Moreover, the uneven surface of the footpath would be levelled to provide more space for grave sweepers.
Provision of elderly support services
A complainant sought Members’ assistance in obtaining elderly support services for herself and her ailing husband. Notwithstanding her repeated requests for medical escort and respite services for her husband via the Designated Hotline for Carer Support (182 183) so that she could be freed to attend medical appointments for her various medical needs, the effort was to no avail. Subsequent to the Members’ referral, the Social Welfare Department immediately contacted her and her husband for an assessment of their needs. While service units were promptly arranged to provide them with medical escort and respite services, medical social workers were also assigned to provide necessary support.
Enhancement of the services of eMPF Service Centre
A complainant sought a Member’s assistance on the unclear address of an eMPF Service Centre (“the Centre”) provided on the website of the eMPF Platform Company Limited (“the Company”) and the poor frontline services of the Centre. Subsequent to the Member’s referral, the Company undertook to enhance its services by displaying the precise address of the Centre on its website and strengthening staff training for the provision of quality services.