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The Labour and Welfare Bureau (LWB) and Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) jointly held an award presentation ceremony of the 2013-14 Talent-Wise Employment Charter and Inclusive Organisations Recognition Scheme cum television variety show today (September 6) to let participating organisations and employees share their experience in promoting employment of persons with disabilities as well as to commend outstanding employers who have been active in implementing the Charter.
Officiating at the ceremony, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, said that the Scheme reflects the spirit and core values of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and demonstrated the policy objectives of the Government in promoting employment of persons with disabilities.
In order to further promote the employment of persons with disabilities, the LWB, in collaboration with the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service and the Hong Kong Joint Council for People with Disabilities, launched the Scheme last September. The Scheme aims to mobilise the Government, the business sector, the public, subvented bodies and non-governmental organisations to make collective efforts to create more employment and internship opportunities for persons with disabilities and provide a barrier-free workplace for them through a host of sustainable measures commensurate with their modes of operation.
Over the past months, the Government has been promoting the Scheme through participating organisations and other networks, as well as the launch of a series of promotional activities. Apart from holding briefing sessions, the LWB has also partnered with RTHK in producing related short TV series and documentaries, portraying real-life stories about employment of persons with disabilities to enhance public understanding of their working abilities.
Mr Cheung said, "I am glad that the Charter Scheme has received support from over 370 organisations, including all government bureaux and departments and around 60 small and medium-sized enterprises, within the first year of its launch. The Government will continue to promote the Scheme and encourage employers of various trades to take action in supporting the employment of people with disabilities."
Also officiating at the ceremony were the Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Miss Annie Tam; the Chairman of the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee, Mr Herman Hui; the Chairperson of the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee Sub-committee on Employment, Ms Deborah Wan; the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, Mr Chua Hoi-wai; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Joint Council for People with Disabilities, Mr Cheung Kin-fai; and Deputy Director of Broadcasting Mr Tai Keen-man.
At the ceremony, Mr Cheung presented the Inclusive Organisation Logo to representatives of organisations participating in the Scheme to underline the community's concerted efforts to promote the Scheme. He and other officiating guests also presented awards of recognition to Partnering Inclusive Organisations, Outstanding Inclusive Organisations and Supreme Inclusive Organisations to commend these employer organisations for promoting the employment of persons with disabilities in various aspects.
Following the award presentation ceremony, the officiating guests joined the opening ceremony of a television variety show in which local and international artists with disabilities performed with renowned artists, singers, musicians and dancers. Video clips on real employment cases of persons with disabilities were also broadcast to share the experience of participating organisations and employees in enhancing the employment opportunities of persons with disabilities, and to urge the community to recognise the working capacity of persons with disabilities.
Ends/Saturday, September 6, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:36
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