ENG-2001 — Page 184

EMPLOYMENT

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During the year, 42 755 full-time and 45 302 part-time retraining places were provided under the ERS. The two Retraining Resource Centres, in Yau Ma Tei and Lok Fu respectively, continued to provide self-learning facilities, job market information and other supporting services to all graduate retrainees. They reinforced the effectiveness of the ERS.

In one of its new initiatives to help relieve unemployment, the ERB began to offer full-time core courses and skills specific courses for eligible workers to seek self- employment, in addition to part-time ones. This is complemented by a Self- employment Business Start-up Assistance Scheme through which graduate retrainees are able to obtain a bank loan to start a business, with the Government acting as guarantor for the loan.

Employment Agencies

The Employment Agencies Administration of the Labour Department enforces Part XII of the Employment Ordinance and the Employment Agency Regulations. It monitors the operation of employment agencies through licensing, inspection and complaint investigation. In 2001, it issued 1 447 employment agency licences and revoked two such licences.

Employment Outside Hong Kong

The External Employment Service of the Labour Department administers the Contracts for Employment Outside Hong Kong Ordinance to safeguard the interests of local employees engaged to work outside Hong Kong for foreign employers. All employment contracts involving manual employees, or non-manual employees with monthly wages not exceeding $20,000, must be attested by the Commissioner for Labour.

Imported Workers

General Policy on Entry for Employment

The Immigration Department controls the entry of foreigners for employment. Foreigners may work or invest in Hong Kong if they possess a special skill, knowledge or experience of value to and not readily available in Hong Kong and are employed with a remuneration broadly commensurate with the market level, or if they can make a substantial contribution to the economy.

The department applies the policy in a flexible manner. Genuine business persons and entrepreneurs are welcome to establish a presence in Hong Kong, bringing with them capital and expertise. Qualified professionals, technical staff, administrators and managerial personnel are also admitted with minimum formalities. During the year, 18 520 foreign professionals and persons with technical, administrative or managerial skills from more than 120 countries/territories were admitted for employment.

Importation of Labour

Apart from the above, a Supplementary Labour Scheme is operated for the importation of workers who do not fall under the general policy on entry for employment. The Government's policy on importation of labour is based on two cardinal principles: