- 8
Overseas domestic helpers contribute to HK's success: Ag CS
The services of overseas domestic helpers (ODHs) have enabled many working Mr parents and other career people to go out to work, the acting Chief Secretary, Michael Suen, said today (Sunday).
Speaking at a ceremony to mark the opening of the Bayanihan Kennedy Town Centre, the first full-time ODH community centre in Hong Kong, Mr Suen expressed his appreciation to the 150,000 ODHs for their positive contribution to the community.
Mr Suen noted that in a few weeks, another full-time Bayanihan Centre will open its doors in Mong Kok, also under the management of the Bayanihan Trust.
"The two full-time centres will have a combined capacity of over 2,000 and will provide a variety of services and facilities, such as remittance and long-distance telephone services and cultural, recreational and educational programmes," he said.
Mr Suen also paid tribute to the Bayanihan Trust which, in the two years since its establishment, had been operating five Sunday activities centres. These centres, which have a combined capacity of over 1,000, enjoyed an average utilisation rate of 80 per cent.
The Bayanihan Kennedy Town Centre, located at 55 Victoria Road, was an abandoned school premises leased by the Government for a token $1 per annum to the Bayanihan Trust, which financed its conversion into an ODH community centre.
Mr Suen also thanked the local community and the relevant District Board chairmen and members for their support in the setting up of ODH centres in different districts.
It opens Wednesday through Sunday, providing a wide range of educational programmes and recreational activities.
The First Lady of the Philippines, Mrs Amelita Ramos; the Thai, Indonesian and Philippine Consul-Generals are among the guests at the Centre's opening.
End/Sunday, November 26, 1995