"The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone
to social security, including social insurance." (extracted from Article
9 of ICESCR)
"The States Parties to present Covenant recognize the right of everyone
to an adequate standard of living for himself and his family, including adequate
food, clothing and housing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions.
The States Parties will take appropriate steps to ensure the international co-operation
based on free consent." (extracted from Article 11 of ICESCR)
Right to an adequate standard of living is a basic human right. Poverty and a poor living standard are problems besetting the deprived. The income gap between the rich and poor grows bigger and bigger. Their contribution to the well-being of the economy has never been properly recognized. What lies before them is but job insecurity.
The economic restructuring has dragged the grassroots people into the poverty
pit. The welfare recipients are scapegoats being pushed under. Elderly people
living with their family members are not entitled for the application of social
security. Many elderly folks earn a meager wage by collecting reusable items
from rubbish bins. The Mandatory Provident Fund has failed to offer retirement
protection for deprived groups including the old people, housewives and the
working poor. To live in dignity, SoCO requested the Government to draw a poverty
line, to set up a Committee on poverty, old age pension scheme, as well as a
comprehensive safety net.