ENG-2001 — Page 175

CHAPTER 7

Employment

MANPOWER is Hong Kong's most treasured asset. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government aims to ensure that there is a dynamic, well-motivated, adaptable and skilful workforce contributing to Hong Kong's economic competitiveness.

In 2001, the Government continued to devote much effort to easing unemployment. The Task Force on Employment, set up in June 1998 and led by the Financial Secretary, has implemented over 40 measures, including advancing government projects, strengthening employment services, enhancing vocational training and employees' retraining and tightening measures to combat illegal employment to ease the unemployment situation.

In his Policy Address in October, the Chief Executive announced the creation of 30 000 job opportunities in the short term in a number of areas including recreational and cultural facilities, housing estate management, education, environmental protection, public sanitation, greening and health care and welfare services in response to the rising unemployment rate.

The Government has continued to offer extra help to enhance the employability of the more vulnerable groups in the community. During the year, the Employees Retraining Board offered over 97 000 training places to assist eligible workers, especially displaced workers and the unemployed, representing an increase of 4 per cent over 2000. The Government has also continued to provide the Youth Pre-employment Training Programme and the Information Technology Assistant Training Programme. The Labour Department has launched a Re-employment Pilot Programme for the Middle Aged to provide one-stop employment and counselling service for job-seekers aged 40 and above who have been unemployed for more than three months.

With the onset of a global knowledge economy, Hong Kong is going through a process of economic restructuring. While the new economy holds promises of new opportunities, it also poses challenges for the workforce. The HKSAR's workers must acquire new knowledge and continually upgrade their skills to remain competitive in the labour market. During the year, the Government conducted a manpower projection to 2005 to gain a clearer picture of Hong Kong's future manpower needs. On the basis of the findings, the Government will devise measures to provide focused training and upgrade the skills of workers.

At the same time, the Government recognises the need to promote good employer-employee relations, enhance the rights and benefits of employees in a way

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