*******************************************
Following is the question by the Hon Wong Kwok-hing and a written reply by the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, Mr Stephen Ip, in the Legislative Council today (February 28):
Question:
Regarding the employment opportunities provided by large-scale facilities (such as Ngong Ping 360 ("NP360"), Hong Kong Disneyland ("HKD") and Hong Kong International Airport ("HKIA")), and the employment situation in the areas where these facilities are located and the remote areas in the vicinity (such as Tung Chung, Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing), will the Government inform this Council whether it knows:
(a) the respective numbers of jobs created so far for Hong Kong by each of the above facilities since their construction;
(b) the employment data of residents in Tung Chung, Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing as shown in annex 1; and
(c) apart from constructing large-scale facilities, whether the Government has other projects or measures to assist residents in remote areas in securing employment; if it has, of the details of the projects or measures; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) The construction of Hong Kong Disneyland and the related infrastructure created over 11 000 jobs, whilst that of Ngong Ping 360 (comprising Ngong Ping Skyrail and Ngong Ping Village) and the associated infrastructure generated some 500 job opportunities. Various works projects under the Airport Core Programme also provided over 30 000 job opportunities for local workers during construction.
(b) The total number of employees and the district-based breakdown provided by Ngong Ping 360 and Disneyland are shown in annex 2.
(c) As at end-2006, there were about 60 000 persons working at the Airport. Since over 200 companies and a considerable number of staff were involved, a breakdown of employees by residential districts is not available.
According to the data of the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the employment figures for Islands (including Tung Chung), Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing Districts in 2005 are shown in annex 3.
Employment and unemployment statistics by District Council (DC) district are based on the data collected in the General Household Survey in May to August each year and compiled jointly by C&SD and an inter-departmental Working Group on Population Distribution Projections. Detailed breakdowns on a finer basis such as for Tung Chung are, however, not available in this set of statistics. The latest available figures are for the year 2005 and those for 2006 will be released soon.
The numbers of low earnings and unemployment Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) cases in Tung Chung/Tai O, Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing provided by the Social Welfare Department (SWD) are shown in annex 4.
(c) The Government is committed to taking forward various works projects in remote districts to promote economic development and create employment opportunities.
The Government has allocated $14 billion for major construction projects in Tung Chung, Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing. These include ongoing projects such as the construction of Route 8 between Tsing Yi and Cheung Sha Wan, improvement works to Tung Chung Road between Lung Tseng Tau and Cheung Sha, construction of an indoor recreation centre and community hall cum library in Area 17 of Tung Chung, as well as retrofitting of noise barriers on Cheung Pei Shan Road in Tsuen Wan. Furthermore, the following projects will commence construction in 2007-08: Tsuen Wan drainage tunnel, a swimming pool complex in Area 2 of Tung Chung, district open space in Area 9 of Tsing Yi, district open space in Shek Yam Estate – phases 1 and 4 in Kwai Chung, as well as local open space in Area 50 of Sham Tseng, Tsuen Wan. It is expected that these projects would be able to generate job opportunities for residents in Tung Chung, Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing.
The Labour Department (LD) provides a wide range of employment services to help job-seekers, including those residing in remote districts, find suitable jobs. Job-seekers may make use of the Interactive Employment Service website to register for employment services and browse up-to-date information on employment and vacancies. They can also secure job referrals through the Telephone Employment Service hotline. Moreover, residents in remote districts can access the latest vacancy information through vacancy search terminals installed at the Public Enquiry Service Centres of District Offices and the Social Security Field Units of SWD. LD will also organise job fairs in the districts, with the participation of large companies as well as small and medium enterprises in the neighbouring districts including the Airport. Besides, LD has launched the Employment Programme for the Middle-aged and the Work Trial Scheme to help job-seekers with special difficulties in finding jobs.
LD is launching the Youth Pre-employment Training Programme and the Youth Work Experience and Training Scheme to improve the training and employment opportunities of young people. The training bodies of these programmes have set up training centres in Tung Chung, Tsuen Wan and Kwai Ching which offer various courses on job-search and interpersonal skills, computer application and job-specific skills.
Ends/Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Issued at HKT 13:00
NNNN
