Transcript of the Governor's media session
The following is a transcript of the media session by the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, after visiting the Labour Department's Local Employment Service Centre in Tsuen Wan today (Thursday):
Governor: Good afternoon. I'm delighted to have had the opportunity this afternoon of seeing some of the services provided by our local employment services in Hong Kong. As you know, we're extremely keen, as part of our Job Creation Programme, to take as active measures as we can in the labour market. We are developing our Job-Matching Programme and I've been pleased to see that this afternoon. But I've also been particularly pleased to see the special services that are being provided both for those with a disability and for those who may be interested in working on the Airport Core Projects. So the placement service which is provided for the ACP is another of our important programmes.
Obviously, while we continue to develop these labour market programmes we are also continuing the drive to deal with illegal employment. We've had a sweep right through the territory against illegal employers and employees this week which has led to a number of arrests. And we are also continuing our review of the Labour Importation Scheme which I hope we'll be able to conclude in the early autumn so that we can make decisions in good time with employers and employees representatives in the interests of Hong Kong and in the interests of the workforce of Hong Kong. We want, at the end of the day, to come up with measures which ensure that Hong Kong remains a competitive economy but a competitive economy in which people who seek work are able to find it, because a job is one of the keys to a good and prosperous life.
Question: Governor, what do you feel about Lydia Dunn's resignation? Do you feel bad?
Governor: I think she's making a statement at 4 o'clock and therefore it's rather difficult for me to comment. Isn't it?
Question: But how do you feel about that? Your personal feelings.
Governor: You haven't heard what I said. But if you don't use it until after she's made a statement, I may answer your question.
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