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The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, visited a social enterprise, an elderly centre and a youth services centre in Tsuen Wan this afternoon (September 26) and exchanged views with the District Councillors there.
Accompanied by the Chairman of the Tsuen Wan District Council, Mr Chan Iu-seng; the Vice-Chairman of the Tsuen Wan District Council, Mr Chung Wai-ping; the District Officer (Tsuen Wan), Miss Jenny Yip; and the District Social Welfare Officer (Tsuen Wan/Kwai Tsing), Mr Lam Ding-fung, Mr Cheung first visited the Yan Chai Hospital (YCH) Healthy Herbal Packs Centre.
The centre is part of a scheme launched by YCH under the Home Affairs Department's Enhancing Self-Reliance Through District Partnership Programme as a local poverty alleviation endeavour. Targeting women in Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing who are either unemployed or unable to take up full-time employment because of the need to take care of children at home, the scheme offers part-time job opportunities in the herbal pack packaging centre. Mr Cheung welcomed the scheme, which is not only providing employment opportunities for women in the district but also promoting social networks and mutual support.
Mr Cheung then went to the YCH Fong Yock Yee Neighbourhood Elderly Centre and was briefed by the Vice-Chairman of the YCH Board of Directors, Mrs Susan So, on the facilities and services provided in the centre. During the visit, Mr Cheung observed a drawing class for the elderly and a briefing on volunteer services. Some elderly people shared with Mr Cheung their sense of satisfaction in serving the community. Noting that the elderly centre aims to promote community care for the elderly and active ageing, Mr Cheung said the Social Welfare Department had launched a $900 million Improvement Programme of Elderly Centres to improve and enhance the facilities of some 230 elderly centres across the territory in phases.
Mr Cheung also visited the Hong Kong Children and Youth Services Jockey Club Belvedere Garden Integrated Children and Youth Services Centre, which is one of the largest of its kind in Tsuen Wan. The Agency Director of Hong Kong Children and Youth Services, Ms Rebecca Ng, introduced to Mr Cheung the diversified services provided to youngsters in the district and the activities arranged for them. Mr Cheung listened with interest on the various activities to promote racial harmony. He also chatted with some South Asian youngsters to understand more about their adaption to Hong Kong daily life.
Mr Cheung then met with the Tsuen Wan District Council Chairman and members to exchange views and hear their views on local needs and concerns of the district. He also updated them on the Government's efforts in poverty alleviation, elderly care, support for the disadvantaged, and the latest developments on the labour and welfare policy front. Mr Cheung highlighted the Work Incentive Transport Subsidy Scheme, which has been enhanced to allow applicants to opt for individual-based or household-based application as appropriate. Over 16 000 individual-based applications had been received within three months since July this year, he added.
Ends/Thursday, September 26, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:58
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