employment
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The Commission on Poverty (CoP), chaired by the Financial Secretary, Mr Henry Tang, discussed proposals on sustainable employment at its fifth meeting, held this afternoon (September 12).
At its previous meeting, members agreed on the direction of the CoP's work to help able-bodied unemployed to move from welfare to self-reliance. Members discussed two follow-up proposals this afternoon - social enterprise development and a pilot project targeting unemployed youths, "My STEP".
Members were briefed on social enterprise development in the rehabilitation field by representatives of the Social Welfare Department and MentalCare Connect Co Ltd, a subsidiary of the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong. The association operates a number of Intensive Employment Assistance Projects (IEAPs) helping unemployed Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients and other poverty-stricken people to return to work.
Mr Tang said he was impressed by the spirit and achievements of these social enterprises. "Many of them are successful and sustainable businesses offering good quality products and services, while at the same time providing training and work opportunities for the disadvantaged in a real work environment. I believe there is good potential for it to further develop to provide assistance to unemployed people as well," he said.
While overseas countries have a longer history of developing social enterprises to help the unemployed to rejoin the work force, this concept is relatively new in Hong Kong. Members agreed on an action plan to further explore its potential, including -
(a) mapping social enterprise development in Hong Kong, drawing on relevant experience overseas;
(b) organising forums to establish the value of, and gain public support for, social enterprises to help the unemployed;
(c) drawing up proposals to foster training of social entrepreneurs and create a business-mentoring network; and
(d) identifying administrative or legal barriers that could hinder the development of social enterprises at a district level and in specific sectors.
"Social enterprises offer unique potential for multi-party and multi-disciplinary cooperation among NGOs, the business sector, academics and the Government. The Government will consider if the current funding source and support for social enterprise start-ups is adequate and will consider providing additional support where appropriate," Mr Tang added.
Members agreed that the proposal should be carefully developed so as not to displace other businesses, especially small and medium enterprises, and blunt their enterprising spirit, which is key to their sustainability.
They noted that subject to Legislative Council's endorsement of the bill implementing the Personalised Vehicle Registration Marks (PVRM) Scheme, the Administration would use part of the net proceeds of the PVRM Scheme to fund pilot projects of social enterprises aiming to help the able-bodied unemployed to rejoin the job market.
Members also discussed the proposed pilot project, "My STEP" - Special Training and Enhancement Programme - to be trialled initially in Tin Shui Wai, Sham Shui Po and Kwun Tong for one year. The proposal will be considered in greater detail by the Task Force on Children and Youth. Because of the increasing number of young people both receiving CSSA, and staying on it longer, the pilot aims to provide more focused assistance to unemployed youths, who may or may not be on CSSA, through tailor-made motivation programmes and job placement. The pilot also aims to learn from the experience of existing support programmes for unemployed youths.
The agenda and papers of the meeting are available at the commission's website: www.cop.gov.hk.
Ends/Monday, September 12, 2005
Issued at HKT 19:13
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