XN000022-1981-05-31 — Page 9

SUNDAY, MAY 31, 1981

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WITH THE SETTING UP OF THE NEW SUB-COMMITTEE, THERE ARE ALTOGETHER SEVEN SUB-COMMITTEES UNDER THE DISTRICT BOARD RESPONSIBLE FOR FINANCE, CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, RECREATION AND SPORTS, SOCIAL SERVICES, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS.

MORE SHELTERED WORKSHOPS FOR THE DISABLED

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FACILITIES FOR DISABLED PEOPLE TO LEAD A USEFUL WORK ING LIFE WILL MORE THAN DOUBLE BY 1984-85 AS PLANS ARE IN HAND TO SET UP 14 NEW SHELTERED WORKSHOPS.

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS CO-ORDINATING PLANS FOR SEVEN SHELTERED WORKSHOPS TO BE RUN BY ITSELF AND ANOTHER SEVEN BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.

THE NEW WORKSHOPS WILL PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL 1 820 PLACES FOR DISABLED PERSONS WHO ARE NOT READY TO GO INTO OPEN EMPLOYMENT.

ONE IS EXPECTED TO COME INTO OPERATION BY MID-JUNE THIS YEAR WITH A CAPACITY FOR 140. IT IS THE PAK TIN SHELTERED WORKSHOP RUN BY THE DEPARTMENT.

AT PRESENT, THE DEPARTMENT OPERATES SEVEN SHELTERED WORKSHOPS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES RUN 12, PROVIDING A TOTAL OF 1 660 PLACES.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THE PLANS IN HAND WERE TO MEET AN INCREASING NEED FOR SHELTERED WORKSHOP PLACES OFFERING THE DISABLED PRODUCTIVE AND REMUNERATIVE JOBS.

SHELTERED WORKERS ARE PRIMARILY ENGAGED IN ASSEMBLING WORK WHICH CAN BE PART-FINISHED, LABOUR-ADDED OR PACKING UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF TRADE INSTRUCTORS, HE SAID.

MATERIALS AND JOB ORDERS ARE SUPPLIED BY FIRMS AND MANUFACTURERS, HE ADDED.

SHELTERED WORKERS INCLUDE MENTALLY RETARDED, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, EX-MENTALLY ILL, BLIND OR MULTI-HANDICAPPED PERSONS.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THEY WERE ASSIGNED TO DIFFERENT WORKSHOP CLASSES ON HANDICRAFT, MACHINE-SEWING OR METAL WORK ACCORDING TO THEIR ABILITIES.

APART FROM WAGES, HE SAID, SHELTERED WORKERS ARE GIVEN INCENTIVE PAYMENTS, FREE LUNCH AND, WHERE NECESSARY, SPECIAL BUS SERVICES.

WORKSHOP STAFF REGULARLY ORGANISE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE WORKERS INCLUDING PICNICS, TEA PARTIES AND GATHERINGS.

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