XN000022-1992-07-12 — Page 2

SUNDAY, JULY 12, 1992

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RETRAINED WORKERS HELP EASE MANPOWER SHORTAGE

WORKERS WHO HAVE COMPLETED COURSES UNDER THE EMPLOYEES' RETRAINING SCHEME WILL NOT ONLY HELP ALLEVIATE THE MANPOWER SHORTAGE BUT BECOME STABLE AND PRODUCTIVE IN THEIR JOBS, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MRS KATHERINE FOK, SAID.

MRS FOK WAS SPEAKING AT A RECENT MEETING TO BRIEF REPRESENTATIVES FROM 11 LEADING LOCAL TRADE ASSOCIATIONS AND EMPLOYERS' ORGANISATIONS ON THE RETRAINING SCHEME.

"THE SCHEME AIMS TO PROVIDE RETRAINING FOR LOCAL WORKERS AFFECTED BY THE RESTRUCTURING ECONOMY TO STAND THEM IN BETTER STEAD IN SECURING ALTERNATIVE EMPLOYMENT,' SHE SAID.

COURSES UNDER THE SCHEME ARE ORGANISED BY THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY, CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY OR HONG KONG COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY AND ARE CONDUCTED BY WELL-QUALIFIED INSTRUCTORS.

"I

"WORKERS WILL THEREFORE ACQUIRE THE BASIC SKILLS NECESSARY FOR THE RELEVANT JOBS UPON COMPLETION OF THEIR RETRAINING, MRS FOK STRESSED.

"I WISH TO APPEAL TO EMPLOYERS ΤΟ RELAX THEIR RECRUITMENT CRITERIA IN RESPECT OF AGE AND EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT SO AS TO INCREASE THE JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR THESE TRAINEES," SHE

SHE SAID, ADDING THAT THE SUCCESS OF THE RETRAINING SCHEME DEPENDED ON EMPLOYERS' SUPPORT IN TAKING ON THE RETRAINED WORKERS.

MRS FOK ALSO ASKED THE REPRESENTATIVES TO HELP PUBLICISE THE SCHEME AMONG THEIR MEMBERS AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO EMPLOY THE RETRAINED WORKERS AS FAR AS POSSIBLE.

THE MEETING WAS ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE RETAIL MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION, HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION, HONG KONG HOTELS ASSOCIATION, FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, CHINESE MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, HONG KONG EXPORTERS' ASSOCIATION, HONG KONG CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION, EMPLOYERS' FEDERATION OF HONG KONG, TEXTILE COUNCIL OF HONG KONG, CHINESE GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

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COMMENTING ON THE MEETING, MRS FOK SAID IT WAS "VERY USEFUL AND SHE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO LISTEN TO VIEWS AND SUGGESTIONS MADE BY THE ASSOCIATIONS ON THE RETRAINING SCHEME.

"SOME OF THESE SUGGESTIONS DESERVE OUR CONSIDERATION WILL CONVEY THEM TO THE RETRAINING FUND BOARD,

SHE SAID.

AND WE

"ON THE OTHER HAND, OFFICERS FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL KEEP IN CONTACT WITH THE ASSOCIATIONS TO SEE WHAT ASSISTANCE THEY NEED IN INCREASING THE JOB OPPORTUNITIES OF THE RETRAINED WORKERS, MRS FOK SAID.

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