XN000022-1995-10-12 — Page 44

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Supplementary Labour Scheme addresses workers' concerns

The proposed Supplementary Labour Scheme (SLS) announced by the Governor in his Policy Address yesterday should address the concerns of employees' representatives that local workers should be given every opportunity to fill any job vacancies, the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mr Joseph W P Wong, said today (Thursday).

Speaking to members of the new Legislative Council and the press to explain the Government's new initiatives on the employment front as outlined in the Policy Address, Mr Wong reiterated that the Government was fully aware of the community's concerns over the recent employment situation.

He pointed out that the objective of the SLS to be introduced on January 1, 1996 with a quota ceiling of 5,000, was to allow the entry of a limited number of foreign workers to take up jobs which could not be filled locally.

"We have decided to limit the quota size to 5,000 after considering the labour market, the job vacancies and the operation of the General Labour Importation Scheme which has a quota of 25,000. We consider the figure to be suitable in the current market conditions," Mr Wong said.

He said the just completed review of the General Scheme was based on the results of the enhanced surveys on job vacancies and the profile of the unemployed, and it had taken careful account of the views expressed by Legislative Councillors, trade unions and employers' associations.

"The enhanced surveys on the profile of the job vacancies and the unemployed suggest that there was a surplus of local workers in those broad occupations which cover jobs of a similar nature to many of the posts now occupied by imported labour under the General Scheme.

"This is the basis for terminating the General Scheme. But at the same time it must be recognised that no survey can ascertain whether there is a surplus or shortfall of vacancies at the individual job level.

"In practice, it depends on a variety of factors, including the particular requirements of the specific job and the availability and willingness of a qualified local worker to take it up," he said.