XN000022-1994-02-27 — Page 4

3

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1994

IN THIS RESPECT, HE SAID, A SERIES OF LEGISLATIVE

WERE IN THE PIPELINE,

PROPOSALS

THESE INCLUDE PROPOSALS TO REMOVE THE CEILING OF 12-MONTH AGGREGATE WAGES FOR EMPLOYEES' ENTITLEMENT TO SEVERANCE PAYMENT AND LONG SERVICE PAYMENT; IMPROVE EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION ΤΟ INCLUDE INJURIES DURING TYPHOON AND RAINSTORM WARNING; PROHIBIT THE EMPLOYMENT OF YOUNG PERSONS UNDER 18 TO WORK ON CONSTRUCTION SITE; REQUIRE EMPLOYMENT OF FULL-TIME SAFETY OFFICERS FOR CONSTRUCTION SITES: INTRODUCE TWO NEW PIECES OF LEGISLATION TARGETED AT ACCIDENT-PRONE CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY, NAMELY SUSPENDED WORKING PLATFORMS AND BUILDERS' LIFTS.

THE AND

LOCAL YOUTH MOTIVATED ON AIDS PREVENTION AND EDUCATION

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC COULD LEARN FROM PARTICIPANTS IN "YOUTH ACTION ON AIDS" FUNDING SCHEME THAT EVERYBODY COULD ASSIST EFFECTIVELY ORGANISING EDUCATION PROGRAMMES ON THIS DEADLY DISEASE.

THE IN

THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, MADE THIS REMARK WHILE OFFICIATING AT THE BEST PROJECT AWARD CEREMONY FOR THE SCHEME TODAY (SUNDAY) AT THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG.

"PEOPLE OFTEN ASSOCIATE AIDS WITH DEATH. BEING IGNORANT OF THE DISEASE, SOME PEOPLE SHOW DISCRIMINATION AND PREJUDICE AGAINST THOSE INFLICTED, COMPOUNDING THE TRAUMA OF BOTH THE PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

"THEREFORE, AIDS IS MORE THAN A DISEASE, IT IS A SOCIAL PROBLEM WHICH DESERVES ATTENTION FROM THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, MRS WONG SAID.

++

THE FUNDING SCHEME, THE THIRD OF ITS KIND SINCE 1991, WAS ORGANISED BY THE WORKING GROUP ON YOUTH UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY ON AIDS.

IT WAS AIMED AT AROUSING YOUNG PEOPLE'S AWARENESS OF AIDS AND ITS SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS, ENCOURAGING AND MOBILISING THEM TO ORGANISE PROJECTS AND RELATED ACTIVITIES.

PROJECT PROPOSALS WERE INVITED FROM SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND YOUTH CENTRES IN TWO PHASES EARLIER IN 1993. AMONG THE APPLICATIONS RECEIVED, 20 PROJECTS WERE SELECTED AND EACH WAS GRANTED A CASH SPONSORSHIP FOR STAGING ITS PUBLICITY ACTIVITIES FROM JUNE TO DECEMBER IN THE SAME YEAR,

AMONG THESE CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE ACTIVITIES WERE DRAMA SHOW, MOBILE EXHIBITION, FOOTBALL TRAINING PROJECT, CAMP, CRUISE, FUN FAIR, GET-TOGETHER NIGHT, QUIZ, PRODUCTION OF CARING CARD, CALENDER CARD, VIDEO AND OTHER AIDS EDUCATION RESOURCE MATERIALS AND RED RIBBON CAMPAIGN.

**

'THESE ACTIVITIES HAD WELL SERVED THEIR PURPOSE SINCE THEY WERE ORGANISED BY YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THEIR COUNTERPARTS AS THE TARGET AUDIENCE, MRS WONG SAID.

11

/DURING THE