XN000022-1995-05-03 — Page 34

- 16

-

Formulation of a comprehensive employment policy

The third part of the Motion calls upon the Government to formulate a comprehensive employment policy which should include special employment assistance for the older displaced workers, middle-aged women and the disabled and a long-term manpower training programme. May I just remind Members and reassure Members that our present employment policy is already quite comprehensive and sufficiently well-placed to enhance the employment opportunities of local workers.

One important aspect of this policy is to maintain a level of labour standards comparable to those of countries with comparable economic development and socio- cultural backgrounds. Employment assistance and job placement services as well as manpower training and retraining facilities are two important elements under this broad policy objective. In this regard, we abide fully by the relevant International Labour Conventions which, in brief, advocate the establishment of a system of free public employment agencies and an active employment policy designed to promote full and freely-chosen employment with a view to stimulating economic growth and overcoming unemployment.

At the working level, the Labour Department provides a network of free public employment agencies through its Local Employment Service for able-bodied job- seekers and the Selective Placement Service for the physically and mentally disabled ones. The Employment Service of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, provides free employment assistance to the socially maladjusted.

In addition, we have a series of special services to cater for the special needs of specific groups of workers. For displaced workers, we have the Employees Retraining Scheme set up in 1992 to provide these workers with suitable retraining courses to facilitate their re-entry into the active workforce. For unemployed work persons over 30, we have launched the Pilot Job Matching Scheme I have just mentioned. For elderly job-seekers, the priority services for job-seekers aged 50 and above is available in all the LES. Finally, for disabled job-seekers, the Labour Department provides specialised placement services to those wishing to seek jobs in the open labour market and organises a wide range of promotional activities to enhance public awareness of the working ability of the disabled.

A long-term manpower training programme

Turning to the policy on manpower training, it has long been Government's goal to provide a well-trained workforce to meet the demands of our dynamic economy. We are seeking to achieve this:

by providing an appropriate system of tertiary and continuing education: