ENG-2008 — Page 171

Chapter 6

Employment

Hong Kong has a world-class workforce that is intelligent, adaptable and hardworking. The Government makes every effort to keep it that way by safeguarding workers' rights and benefits, ensuring their workplaces are safe and healthy, and by fostering a harmonious relationship between employers and employees.

Hong Kong's hard working, adaptable workforce is one of its most treasured assets. The Government spares no effort in ensuring that Hong Kong workers stay motivated and skilful to contribute to the city's economic competitiveness. There are, however, challenges to be addressed, particularly that of rising unemployment and dwindling job opportunities, caused by the global economic slowdown and uncertain economic outlook. The Government adopts a multi-pronged strategy to meet these challenges. The plan includes upgrading workers' skills to make them more employable and competitive, improving the business environment and introducing measures to create jobs.

During the year, the Employees Retraining Board offered over 100 000 training places to help those seeking job change and the unemployed to re-enter the labour market. The Government also continued to offer special help to the less competitive workers.

The Labour Department has introduced a series of market-oriented employment initiatives for job seekers. These include the Employment Programme for the Middle- aged, the Work Trial Scheme, the Youth Pre-employment Training Programme, the Youth Work Experience and Training Scheme, the Youth Employment Start and the Work Orientation and Placement Scheme for job-seekers with disabilities. In addition, job fairs are held and job-matching services are provided to help job seekers to enter or re-enter the job market.

The Government promotes good employer-employee relations, protects the rights and improves the benefits of employees in line with Hong Kong's socio-economic development, as well as guards the safety, and protects the health of employees at work.

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