It is time to consider perspective of boxed-in young people in HK

How to effectively engage Hong Kong’s young people has been an issue capturing the interest of many people. There have always been calls for the government to win the hearts and minds of young people, especially after the “Occupy Central” movement. To do so, one has to better understand the mentality of the younger generation. Being a post-1970s person, I dare not consider myself part of that generation nor do I fully understand what is on their minds. But I am able to observe and witness some of the issues they face first hand.

Youths in Hong Kong, like their peers in many developed economies, are more liberal-minded and passionate about social justice; they also treasure personal freedom. These thinking dispositions can easily translate into demands for less government intervention in their lives but more political participation and electoral choices, as well as frustration over the widening wealth gap and greater enthusiasm on issues such as privacy protection, sexual orientation and animal welfare. They expect greater autonomy in their work or study, everwider choices in entertainment and a more fulfilling life than their parents. Therefore it is not hard to understand why they feel so frustrated today.

Schools are rigid and demanding; tertiary education is expensive. Many students graduated with more than HK$100,000 in student loans to repay while entry salaries have been stagnant for more than a decade. Their salaries can barely cover student loan payments, let alone making any savings. It is no wonder they feel so helpless in today’s sky-rocketing property market. There has been more government financial support for tertiary education but there is still much room for improvement to alleviate students’ financial burden. Last year Bernie Sanders, a United States politician aged more than 70, received overwhelming support from young people because he backed free college education and greater social justice.

The government is one of the few employers in Hong Kong paying decent wages. Yet private-sector employers have long complained about competition for talents and accuse the government of “lavish spending” on civil servants’ pay. Another common complaint from employers is the degradation of language, organization and communication skills as well as the lack of discipline, responsibility and sacrifice on the part of the younger generation. From the youth’s point of view, they have already endured great hardship and competition facing public exams and tutorial classes demanded by their parents, what more could possibly be expected of them? Having little bargaining power in the job market, how could the young not angry at the rich and powerful and their sometimes condescending attitude?

Facing an aging civil-service workforce and budget surplus, the government should expand the recruitment of civil servants, especially in the disciplined forces and other front-line positions that can accommodate young people with or without a university degree. Thousands would benefit from such a move in coming years. Moreover, the government should lead by example and introduce more flexible working hours and other employee- or family-friendly arrangements. With the prevalence of mobile phones and instant messaging technology, employees feel they can never escape work. One common argument made by young people is that if I have to do hours of overtime work every day and reply to work-related messages even on vacation, why am I considered late to work if I do not sit on the office chair by 9 am sharp? Global leading technology and innovation companies have provided ever more freedom and flexibility in terms of working hours for young employees in order to boost their productivity and retain talents. If so many corporate giants worldwide feel compelled to try these unconventional work arrangements, it would behoove Hong Kong to think deeply on how to better engage and motivate the new generation.

Last but not least, young people often aspire to make meaningful input in their work and expect to see quick results. As university graduates working in fancy office towers, many young people feel humiliated when it turns out they have to do photocopying or even prepare tea for others during meetings. Some have thought they would be able to make drastic changes or formulate strategic decisions for their organizations before the harsh reality hits. On the other hand, employers feel exhausted having to explain the rationale of their orders every time and astonished at how highly these youngsters think of themselves. The government would be wise to consider using creative and concise ways to explain their new policies and measures.

I would not regard the above-mentioned conflicts as the clash of generations. Growing up in different macro-socio-economic environments is bound to make every generation unique. What we could all do is to keep an open mind, try to see things from other people’s angles and humbly acknowledge the fact that we are not always right. That would be a sound advice for individuals as well as for the government.