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As the notion of 'employment' is essentially a relationship between employers and employees, any territory-wide labour problems in our economy will invariably involve both employers and employees. The Amendment Motion has thus made up for the deficiency of the original motion by presenting the complete picture of the employment situation facing us today.
To review and formulate an employment policy by striking a balance between different interests of employers and employees in the light of the overall labour situation in the economy has been the Government's long-established policy in dealing with employment-related issues. We would continue to work with Members of this Council and other concerned parties along this approach.
The amendment motion also highlights 'retraining' as a particularly important aspect of our employment policy to be reviewed. This view is fully shared by the Government. As explained earlier, the mismatch of skills and experience arising from our economic restructuring process is in fact the major underlying cause of the paradoxical problem of employers not getting the staff they need and employees unable to find jobs. The provision of suitable retraining programmes to facilitate the displaced local workers to re-enter workforce has proved to be the most practicable and effective means of redressing this imbalance. This is also why we have included arrangements for retraining on top of the proactive employment services of direct job referrals. Of course, we will work with the Employees Retraining Board closely to upkeep the quality of the retraining programme and the success rate of retrainees in seeking jobs upon completion of such courses. We will of course also welcome views from Members on how to improve the Scheme further.
For these reasons and with the remarks I have just made, the Administration support Mr Tien's Amendment Motion.
End/Wednesday, May 3, 1995
Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 1995
Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, the Hon Sir Hamish Macleod, in moving the second reading of the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 1995 in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Mr President.
I move that the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 1995 be read the second time.