ENG-2020 — Page 388

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History

Since 2008, the government has provided 12 years of free primary and secondary education to all students attending public-sector schools, and Secondary 3 school leavers taking full-time courses offered by the Vocational Training Council have not had to pay tuition fees. Post-secondary education is heavily subsidised.

The scope and delivery of welfare services have become more integrated and accessible. In the past decade, total government spending on social welfare has more than doubled, from $40.5 billion in 2010-11 to an estimated $115 billion in 2020-21.

A healthcare system originally developed in the early post-war years to cope with the growing population has expanded greatly in line with the government's commitment to safeguard public health and to provide medical care and facilities for everyone. In 1990, the government set up the independent Hospital Authority and gave it responsibility for managing public hospitals and providing heavily subsidised public healthcare services, having regard to the principle that no person should be denied medical care due to lack of means. As at end-2020, the authority had 43 public hospitals and institutions, 49 specialist outpatient clinics and 73 general outpatient clinics under its management.

Comprehensive labour legislation is in place to protect employees' rights, benefits, and occupational safety and health. Job-seekers and employers have access to free employment and recruitment services. The Employees Retraining Board provides training and retraining courses to eligible employees to help meet the demands of the changing labour market and the manpower needs of various industries.

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