ENG-2003 — Page 183

EMPLOYMENT

to work. It organised regular technical seminars on topical issues such as safe working on scaffolding, outdoor work under extreme weather, and health and hygiene at construction sites.

In view of increasing public demand, the council published the first Hong Kong Occupational Safety and Health Products and Services Suppliers Directory, providing detailed information on OSH products, services and suppliers.

The council hosted the 'Safety and Health Expo and the 12th International Conference on Safe Communities' in March. There were exchanges of international expertise and an exhibition displaying a wide range of occupational safety and health products and services. A milestone at the Expo was the World Health Organisation's accreditation of Tuen Mun and Kwai Tsing as the first designated safe communities in Hong Kong. As the sixth affiliate 'safe community support centre' of the World Health Organisation, the council continued to promote safety and health at the district and community levels.

With the support of trade unions and related organisations, the council launched a campaign on 'Workplace Protection against SARS' in May to educate high-risk employee groups on the effective use of personal protective equipment and prevention of biological hazards. This was done by means of seminars, videos and publications as well as the distribution of protective equipment. In July, the council launched a 'Workplace Hygiene Charter' to promote a clean and hygienic working environment. A series of workplace exercises was designed for construction workers, health care workers, cleaners and professional drivers to help them improve personal health.

The council's OSH Enhancement Scheme for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) was enhanced during the year by the introduction of an accredited list of safety consultants. The scheme provides technical support to SMEs.

Employment Services

The Labour Department provides diversified modes of free employment and recruitment services to job-seekers and employers through a network of 11 district- based Job Centres (two of which are Employment and Guidance Centres for New Arrivals), a Telephone Employment Service Centre, a Central Recruitment Unit and a Job Vacancy Processing Centre. In addition, special recruitment activities are held regularly to assist job-seekers in finding jobs and employers in recruiting staff. Job- seekers can make use of facilities such as vacancy search terminals, telephones, fax machines and computers with an Internet connection in Job Centres to complete the whole job-hunting process at one stop. Moreover, employment services are also available on the Internet round-the-clock through the Interactive Employment Services (iES) website (http://www.jobs.gov.hk).

During the year, 233 070 job-seekers registered with the Labour Department, 225 106 vacancies were received and a record high of 66 100 placements was achieved.

Re-employment Training Programme for the Middle-aged

The Re-employment Training Programme for the Middle-aged was launched in April to assist job-seekers who are aged 40 or above and have been unemployed for three months or more find jobs. A training allowance of $1,500 per month for each trainee for not more than three months is granted to employers who engage the middle-aged unemployed and provide them with on-the-job training.

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