17.
Extracts from the Report
"Refugees say their sense of
hopelessness is increased by having no control over even simple daily function such as cooking"
•
- 6
CSD's Comments
Refugees were consulted but did not favour the suggestion of self-cooking as it would cause fire hazard and it would be difficult to maintain a satisfactory discipline inside the dormitories.
18.
Recreation
"All recreational activities
in the camp, according to one refugee, are limited. They spend evening standing crowded around a black and white television".
Recreation facilities such as football and volleyball pitches, and badminton court are open daily to refugees. In total, there are 10 colour TV sets and 1 black/white TV sets installed in the three camps. Excursions are also organised by voluntary agencies for the children.
19.
Employment
"The CSD employs some people
to clean the camp
are
paid maximum of HK$150 per month, and no refugee employed by other agencies may be paid more than this".
The management of the closed centres employs refugees to perform damestic and maintenance work. They are paid in accordance with the earning scale approved by the Commissioner of Correctional Services. Their earnings range from $14.95 (Skilled Labour - Grade B) to $35.95 (Skilled Labour - Grade F) weekly depending on their assigned jobs. The voluntary agencies also employ refugees according to their own pay scales. The management of the centres have no authority to interfere with these pay scales because this is outside CSD's jurisdiction.
20.
"Several of the refugees in
the camps have professional qualification or skill, but they are not permitted to exercise them
"The qualified doctors among
the refugees at CMWCC are not allowed to practise.
All in all, 29 refugees claimed to have acquired certain academic qualifications or professional skills. However, their reported backgrounds cannot be verified. Also some of these professions e.g. the medical doctors are not allowed to practise in HK because of the requirements of local law.