Inmates get pay rise as prison bars fail to keep inflation out (SCMP) 04月 18日 星期五 00:03AM

Prisoners have been hit by rising inflation, with some popular items doubling in price in a month.

The Correctional Services Department has raised inmates' salaries by more than 10 per cent in an effort to keep pace.

Ng Wai-tung, of the Society for Community Organisation, said more than 90 per cent of the products sold to prisoners had become more expensive since March 1, when a new contract with suppliers took effect.

"We, as well as those who are imprisoned, are affected by inflation," Mr Ng said.

Data provided by the organisation showed that many snacks were at least a third pricier. Digestive biscuits rose 57 per cent to HK$10.90 a pack, while wafer biscuits climbed 52 per cent to HK$5.50. Prices of cornflakes and nuts jumped 40 and 37 per cent respectively.

Health-care products cost more as well. A bar of soap costs HK$3.10, more than 40 per cent higher than in February, and the price of shampoo increased 14 per cent to HK$18.50.

But the price of a photo album has increased the most, surging from HK$2.90 each to HK$9.

"Photo albums are a popular item among prisoners because their family and friends can only visit them twice a month. Some prisoners keep photos sent by their family and look at them when they miss home," Mr Ng said. "They need some emotional support."

He said only two items remained at the same prices - cigarettes and stamps.

A spokeswoman for the Correctional Services Department said the prices of popular items - apart from cigarettes - had increased by 10.3 to 210 per cent since last month.

In view of the inflation, she said the salaries of prisoners had increased accordingly on Saturday by 12.14 per cent - which equalled the average inflation rate of the popular items among prisoners.

About 6,000 prisoners and inmates are engaged in various types of industrial work - which includes ironing uniforms for some disciplined services units and laundry work for public hospitals. Their salaries range from HK$200 to more than HK$400 per month.

Those who are unfit for work receive about HK$50 a month.

The spokeswoman said prisoners were given four meals a day and were provided with necessities such as toothpaste, toilet paper and clothes. But they were allowed to order extra items every month.


Watchdog checks prices more often (SCMP) 04月 18日 星期五 00:03AM

The Consumer Council is planning to conduct price checks every two weeks to increase transparency of information on consumer products.

The watchdog's chief executive, Connie Lau Yin-hing, said it wanted to compare prices regularly of essential items, such as food and household goods, in different districts and shops.

"We are conducting an internal investigation on the criteria. One of the considerations is that the goods should be related to people's livelihoods - as well as their [the goods'] popularity."

She added that planning was still at an initial stage. The city was facing inflation this year and the council hoped to play an active role in letting consumers make an informed choice.

Ms Lau said the council hoped not to focus solely on oil and rice every time. "For instance, during Christmas and the Lunar New Year, consumers purchase more gifts ... and perhaps we can do more in this area as well."

She said the programme would start later this year.

The council conducts an annual price survey, which mainly looks at inflation or changes in the consumer price index. Ms Lau said the latest one, which showed supermarkets charging more than local shops - had received wide attention.

Meanwhile, Federation of Restaurants president Wong Ka-wo, expects that 200 to 300 restaurants will be forced to shut down in the next three months because of soaring food prices.

On a radio programme yesterday, he said restaurants' operating costs had risen 10 per cent this year, but restaurants had raised food prices by only 5 to 8 per cent.