TNAG-1786-FCO40-2546-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-closed-camp-policy-1988 — Page 125

OXFAM

樂施會

An inter-agency working group has been set up to coordinate

It is due to a major new initiative on vocational training. report in December, and its aims are to identify programmes that will occupy refugees, give them a sense of fulfilment, allow them to earn some money and teach them Western work ethics.

We await the group's report with interest and hope it will be followed by concerted action.

A really lively and useful vocational training programme could well improve refugees' chances of resettlement, particularly for single young men, who are some of the most difficult refugees to resettle. Good training and work programmes would offer them a ray of hope. By taking part and doing well they would be able to demonstrate their skills and good character, and so do something to promote their resettlement chances. At present many of these young men feel powerless and dispirited.

Typing is a popular skill and each of the centres runs typing courses. It seems a shame that graduates at Hei Ling Chau and Chi Ma Wan receive only a certificate from the voluntary agency and then have no chance to maintain their newly-acquired skill. A professionally recognised qualification and a chance to practise preferably on something rather more advanced than a manual typewriter might well equip a refugee with a skill which would one day help her or him to get a job.

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4. Centre Management

This is a difficult area. We would like to see refugees being more involved in managing the centres, but it is clear that there are real problems.

To start with, the refugees come from a country where to

They speak out is to risk arrest, persecution, even death. have learned over the years to keep their heads down and to keep quiet. They will need help and encouragement to change.

Management of the camps is entrusted to the Correctional Services Department. Senior staff are career prison officers, while junior staff are taken on specifically to work in the centres and receive just two weeks training.

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