TNAG-2989-FCO40-3575-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-talks-betwee-1992 — Page 101

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE

18. One message I have received loud and clear since my arrival is how seriously education is taken in Hong Kong. Time and again parents and business leaders have emphasised to me the importance of high standards of attainment both for school leavers and for graduates. They are right to do so. The most important investment that any community makes in its future is what it spends on improving the education of its children. A wise and civilised community also invests heavily in its adults-in students in further education, and in the training and retraining of its workforce. I am constantly struck by the sacrifices parents and others are prepared to make to secure the best education for their children or themselves. The Government has a duty to match their commitment.

Retraining for Productivity

19. Let me start with those who are already at work. Hong Kong's workforce is growing far more slowly than the economy itself few other economies share that problem! Since 1986, the working population has risen by less than 1% a year. The number of youngsters finishing their education and taking up work has actually declined by 20% in the past five years. This puts very serious pressure on our manpower resources.

20. We have been able to ease the shortage somewhat by looking abroad for additional workers. We have approved the employment of nearly 25 000 foreign workers under the general Labour Importation Scheme. And we must continue to make good the shortfalls in particular occupations and professions by importing talent and skills from elsewhere without damaging the well-being of Hong Kong's own workers. Let me stress this point: there must be no abuses in our labour market. To make this message clear, we intend to introduce new measures to hit out at those who try to profit from illegal immigrants and at those who employ them. We must tackle the root of this problem, especially on construction sites. Many good employers, including principal contractors, want to help us stop illegal immigrants finding employment. Both they and the unions have proposed a number of imaginative deterrents, including a requirement for workers to display their identity cards at all times, possibly on their safety helmets. We will be following up this and other proposals with vigour.

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