XN000022-1994-12-14 — Page 57

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My reply to the two questions is as follows -

(a)

(b)

The effectiveness of the scheme has been under regular review. Since its inception in 1989, the ceiling for importation has been raised gradually from the initial 3,000 to 25,000 in January 1992. Although the amount of labour imported is less than one per cent of our labour force, it has helped to relieve some of the bottlenecks in the local employment market. Our policy aim has therefore on the whole been achieved. We shall continue to allocate these quotas to industry groups on the basis of relative demand and their ability to make the best use of these quotas in terms of contribution to the economy. We have also undertaken to review the method of quota allocation early next year with a view to ensuring that it will continue to be effective and efficient.

The importation of labour is not meant to be a means to cater for the hotel industry's long-term manpower needs. Such needs should be catered for through more effective manpower planning policies including recruitment, retention and training. On Government's part, our emphasis is on the funding of academic, vocational training and retraining courses to provide the trained manpower for the hotel industry. A total of about 3,800 full-time and part-time places are currently available at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Vocational Training Council at the degree, sub-degree and skilled operative levels. The Employees Retraining Board has, since its inception in 1992, offered 40 retraining courses, and some 600 retrainees have graduated. Some 50 hotels have also participated in the Board's On-the-Job Training Scheme, producing 240 trainee placements in the hotel industry. Our training institutions are in close touch with the hotel industry and are ready to provide more of these courses should the need arise.

End/Wednesday, December 14, 1994