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The following is issued on behalf of the Family Council:
A total of 1,060 big and small enterprises from different sectors were commended today (November 3) as "Family-Friendly Employers" at the Award Presentation Ceremony of the Family-Friendly Employers Award Scheme 2011 organised by the Family Council for the first time.
Speaking at the award presentation ceremony, the officiating guest, the Chief Secretary for Administration cum Chairman of the Family Council, Mr Stephen Lam, said that the Government should play a leading role in promulgating a family-friendly work environment.
He said that the Chief Executive announced in his Policy Address that the Government would study the provision of paid paternity leave in the civil service, and that the Government would also look into whether to make it a statutory requirement for private organisations to take the same step to take care of employees' family needs.
He hoped the award scheme would promote a family-friendly work environment, and believed that good employer-employee relationship would be a win-win situation for the Government or business, employees and their families, as well as the society.
The award scheme aims to give recognition to employers who attach importance to the spirit of family-friendliness, encourage them to continue to put in place measures to raise awareness in the business sector of the importance of family core values, and to foster a pro-family culture and environment.
The award scheme has received overwhelming support. 1,112 companies participated in the Scheme, 15 per cent of entries applied under the Corporations Category (for companies with 100 or more employees in Hong Kong) while the remaining enrolled under the Small and Medium Enterprises Category (for companies with fewer than 100 employees in Hong Kong).
An assessment panel comprising experts and representatives from various sectors assessed the applications and selected the awardees with reference to criteria such as the company's family-friendly employment policies, practices, rationale, benefits to the company and employees, as well as commitment of the company's management.
A total of 1,060 companies were recognised as "Family-Friendly Employers". Among them, 75 companies were awarded "Distinguished Family-Friendly Employer" in recognition of their outstanding achievements in the implementation of family-friendly employment policies and practices. In addition, 16 companies received the "Awards for Innovation" to acknowledge their flexible use of innovative ideas to implement family-friendly employment measures.
Also officiated at the ceremony today were the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Raymond Young, Member of the Family Council and Convenor of the Family-Friendly Employers Award Scheme 2011 Organising Committee, Mr Robert Chow, as well as Family Council members, Ms Sophia Kao and Dr Pang King-chee.
For the list of awardees and other details, please visit the website: www.familycouncil.gov.hk/family-friendlyemployers.
Ends/Thursday, November 3, 2011
Issued at HKT 20:38
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