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The Financial Secretary, Mr. Antony Leung, said today (November 29) that the Government will spare no efforts in expediting the creation of some 32,000 jobs announced in the Policy Address.
"Employment is an issue of serious concern in our community. It is of very high priority for the Government," Mr Leung emphasized.
At the 28th meeting of the Task Force on Employment today, Mr Leung briefed members on the progress of the job creation initiatives.
"Some 7,900 jobs will be created by the end of this financial year, of which some 3,400 jobs will be available by the end of this year. Moreover, over 16,900 will be created in 2002/03. We are urging departments concerned to critically examine ways to further expedite and to create more jobs," said Mr. Leung.
Members were also informed of Government's initiatives to promote job opportunities for workers with low education and skill level. These sectors include security service, personal care service and local domestic service. To promote employment opportunities for local domestic helpers, the Employees Retraining Board will enhance its training for local domestic helpers and improve services for potential employers. A central register of local domestic helpers and employers will be set up to facilitate job matching. In addition, "one stop" recruitment, referral and post-placement services will also be provided to employers to meet their needs in engaging local domestic helpers.
Members also took note of governments efforts to improve the Hong Kong business environment to take account of the changing economic landscape. The Government has amongst other things, introduced internal requirements to ensure that prior to formulating new policies and legislation, an assessment of any compliance burden on business and impact on jobs must be carried out and considered.
Members were informed that local job-seekers who wish to look for jobs in the Mainland can make use of the Labour Department's employment services website to search for vacancies offered by Hong Kong employers with working location in the Mainland. They can also display their personal details with contact means for selection by employers.
Members were also briefed on the progress of the Self-employment Business Startup Scheme under the Employees Retraining Board and the proposed one-stop service to be provided by the Business Start-up Centre of the Vocational Training Council for people who wish to start their own business. The new one-stop service will enable the unemployed to have more convenient access to comprehensive information and services to help them in starting up a new business.
End/Thursday, November 29, 2001
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