UNEMPLOYED SECOND CLASS HACKNEY CARRIAGE DRIVING LICENCE HOLDERS (Denial of Social Welfare benefits)

Mr Bernard Rodrigues asked the Minister for Culture and Social Affairs if he will give the reasons why unemployed holders of Second Class Hackney Carriage Driving Licences are denied social welfare benefits.

Mr Chan Chee Seng (for the Minister for Culture and Social Affairs): Mr Speaker, I have been instructed by my Minister to answer.

It has been the long standing policy of the Department of Social Welfare to refuse public assistance relief to applicants who hold Second Class Hackney Carriage Driving Licences. It is considered a reasonable presumption that holders of such licences are employed, or intend to seek employment, as taxi-drivers. However, in cases where such applicants have surrendered their licences and can satisfy the Department that they are unemployed, public assistance relief has been given.