EMPLOYMENT
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Employing the Disabled
The Selective Placement Division of the Labour Department helps people with disabilities integrate into the community through open employment. It provides a free employment counselling and placement service for the hearing impaired, sight impaired, physically handicapped, chronically ill, ex-mentally ill and mentally handicapped.
During the year, the division launched a series of activities to promote the employment of people with disabilities. These included staging exhibitions and seminars, presentation of awards to commendable employers and outstanding disabled employees, and producing information kits for employers. Special campaigns and promotional visits to major employers and government departments were made to canvass vacancies and widen the employment opportunities of job- seekers with disabilities.
Feature articles highlighting the working abilities of people with disabilities were published in newspapers and newsletters of various employers' associations to enhance employers' acceptance of people with disabilities. Pamphlets and guidebooks concerning employment of people with various disability types were also published and disseminated to members of the public. With the assistance of Radio Television Hong Kong, a series of radio programmes was produced to promote the working abilities of people with disabilities and their integration into the community.
Careers Guidance
The Careers Advisory Service of the Labour Department, through the promotion of careers education, helps young people choose a career best suited to their talents, interest and abilities. It also provides careers teachers with back-up information.
The service operates two careers information centres disseminating careers information through written and audio-visual materials. The public can also access careers information published by the service through the Careers Info Express, a bulletin board accessible via computer and modem.
The service also organises a wide range of career guidance activities for young people. The Education and Careers Expo '98 organised in February attracted more than 190 000 visitors. A total of 164 355 students took part in the 17th Careers Quiz organised in October. Throughout the year, the service organised careers talks and arranged student group visits to careers information centres and various commercial and industrial establishments.
Imported Workers
General policy on entry for employment
The Immigration Department controls the entry of imported workers. Foreigners may work or invest in Hong Kong if they possess a special skill, knowledge or experience of value to and not readily available in Hong Kong, or if they can make a substantial contribution to the economy.
The department applies the policy in a flexible manner. Genuine business persons and entrepreneurs are welcome to establish a presence in Hong Kong, bringing with them capital and expertise. Qualified professionals, technical staff, administrators