XN000022-1982-03-25 — Page 4

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THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1982

SPEND MORE ON DEVELOPING MANPOWER RESOURCES

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THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER USING FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO DEVELOP MANPOWER RESOURCES IN THE MUCH-NEEDED SOCIAL SERVICES FIELD.

THE SUGGESTION CAME FROM THE HON MARIA TAM TODAY WHEN SHE COMMENTED ON THE SHORTFALL OF SOCIAL WORKERS IN HONG KONG.

MISS TAM NOTED WITH CONCERN THAT THE PERCENTAGE OF EXPENDITURE ON SOCIAL SERVICES - EDUCATION, MEDICAL AND HEALTH, HOUSING, SOCIAL WELFARE, LABOUR AND REHABILITATION HAD DROPPED FROM 41.6 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL BUDGET FOR 1981-82 TO 39.2 PER CENT FOR 1982-83 DESPITE THE INCREASE IN POPULATION IN THE LATE 1970S.

+ APPRECIATE THAT AT TIMES THE REASON FOR REDUCTION OF SERVICES IS PROBABLY DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE TRUE SHORTAGE IS AT PRESENT OF RESOURCES INCLUDING PEOPLE BUT NOT OF MONEY'

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+AND THIS IS BORNE OUT BY THE SHORTAGE OF BACHELOR DEGREE HOLDERS WITH SOCIAL WORK TRAINING TO FILL THE POSTS OF ASSISTANT SOCIAL WORK OFFICERS, SHE SAID.

SHE NOTED THAT THE SHORTFALL OF SOCIAL WORKERS IS FORECAST AT 930 GRADUATES AND 1 060 FOR NON-GRADUATES BY 1989–90.

THE WILLINGNESS OR OTHERWISE OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN TAKING UP SOCIAL WORK, IN PARTICULAR IN PERSUADING THEM TO JOIN VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES, SHE SAID, DEPENDS A LOT ON THE REWARD AND THE SECURITY THE JOB HAS TO OFFER.

SOCIAL WORKERS ENGAGED BY CATEGORY I SERVICE AGENCIES WHICH PROVIDE +FUNDAMENTAL SERVICES+ OR +SERVICES WHICH ARE REQUIRED BY LAW+, APPARENTLY ENJOY PARITY WITH THEIR COUNTERPARTS WORKING FOR THE GOVERNMENT, I.E. WHEN GOVERNMENT SOCIAL WORKERS ARE GIVEN A PAY RISE. CATÉGORY I SERVICE VOLUNTARY AGENCY WORKERS ALSO GET A +BACK PAY+, SHE NOTED.

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BUT THE SITUATION IN A CATEGORY I SERVICE AGENCY BOY SCOUT, SOCIAL CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED, AND CO-ORDINATING BODY IS DIFFERENT.

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INSTEAD OF GETTING A BACK PAY, SHE SAID, THE AGENCY APPLIES TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FOR A +TOPPED UP+ DISCRETIONARY GRANT WHICH CAN BE USED FOR STAFF SALARY. BUT THE SIZE OF THE FINAL GRANT CANNOT BE PREDICTED WITH CERTAINTY,

+THE WORK OF CATEGORY | SERVICE AGENCIES IS MONITORED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND IT IS STILL POSSIBLE TO DEFINE WHICH POSTS ARE SUBVENTABLE AND WHICH ARE NOT.

+ I THINK THAT THERE SHOULD BE A PUBLICISED POLICY GUIDELINE THAT THE HOLDERS OF POSTS WHICH ARE FOUND TO BE SUBVENTABLE ARE TREATED THE SAME WAY AS THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN CATEGORY I SERVICE AGENCIES AND CAN BE SURE OF RECEIVING THE SAME LEVEL OF SALARY INCREASE.

IT SHOULD BE STATED THAT APPLICATIONS FROM AGENCIES FOR A 'TOPPED UP SUM BASED ON SUCH SALARY INCREASES WILL BE DEEMED TO BE AN APPLICATION WITH MERIT,+ SHE SAID.

TURNING TO