EMPLOYMENT
manufacturing and services centre, in particular in technology-based, knowledge- intensive, and value-added activities. Further details are set out in Chapter 22, Population and Immigration.
Review of Immigration Policies on Entry of Professionals
The Chief Executive announced in his Policy Address in October that the existing immigration policy on the entry of professionals would be reviewed in a proactive but prudent manner to admit more quality personnel from the Mainland and abroad. Further details of this review are given in Chapter 22.
Foreign Domestic Helpers
Foreign domestic helpers may be admitted subject to the conditions that they have relevant experience, that their employers are bona fide Hong Kong residents who are prepared to offer reasonable terms of employment including suitable accommodation. and wages not lower than a minimum level set by the Government, and that the employers are willing to provide for the maintenance of the helpers in Hong Kong as well as to meet the costs of repatriation of the helpers to their country of origin.
Demand for foreign domestic helpers has increased over the past two decades. By the end of 2000, there were 216 790 such helpers in Hong Kong, an increase of 11.9 per cent compared with the number of 193 700 in 1999. About 70 per cent of the foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong were from the Philippines.
Having considered the views of local drivers' labour unions and employers of foreign domestic helpers, the Government decided to tighten the practice of allowing foreign domestic helpers to perform driving duties incidental to and arising from domestic duties. With effect from January 1, 2000, employers had to obtain prior approval from the Immigration Department, before they could deploy their foreign domestic helpers under new contracts to perform such driving duties. Foreign domestic helpers on existing contracts were not affected until their contracts expired.
Employment Agencies
The Employment Agencies Administration of the Labour Department enforces Part XII of the Employment Ordinance and the Employment Agency Regulations. It monitors the operation of employment agencies through licensing, inspection and complaint investigation. In 2000, it issued 1 335 employment agency licences.
Employment Outside Hong Kong
The External Employment Service of the Labour Department administers the Contracts for Employment Outside Hong Kong Ordinance to safeguard the interests of local employees engaged to work outside Hong Kong for foreign employers. All employment contracts involving manual workers, or non-manual employees with monthly wages not exceeding $20,000, must be attested by the Commissioner for Labour.
Youth Pre-employment Training Programme
The first Youth Pre-employment Training Programme (YPT) launched in September 1999 concluded in March. Altogether, 10 707 trainees participated in the programme. It provided young school leavers aged between 15 and 19 with a wide range of employment-related training in the areas of leadership, self-discipline and team
141