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The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, said that the Labour Department would enhance the Work Orientation and Placement Scheme next month by increasing the financial incentive for employers and extending the allowance period to encourage employers to offer more work trial opportunities for persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The enhanced scheme is expected to benefit 800 PWDs in the next two years.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation's Vocational Rehabilitation and Retraining Centre and Wah Hong Gift Shop today (May 15), Mr Cheung said that the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council approved last Friday a sum of $398 million for the Labour Department to enhance a range of employment services.
Out of the allocation, $11.8 million will be spent on enhancing the Work Orientation and Placement Scheme to raise the maximum monthly allowance for employers to $4,000 and extend the allowance period from three months to six months, he said.
"On ways to strengthen the working ability of PWDs, the Government has been offering training on work skills and communication skills through the Vocational Training Council's skills centres, Employees Retraining Board's retraining schemes, as well as the Social Welfare Department's integrated vocational training centres, sheltered workshops, supported employment service and integrated vocational rehabilitation service centres. We are devoting much effort to help them equip themselves with the hope that they will stand a better chance to secure a job in the open market," Mr Cheung said.
He stressed that the promotion of employment of PWDs hinged not only on the Government's efforts, but also on active support from all sectors of society, including the business sector, social welfare sector and local community.
He said he hoped that employers and the community at large would learn more about the work abilities of PWDs and give them equal job opportunities and benefits. He said that for PWDs, the essence of having a job is to gain recognition of their abilities rather than getting remuneration.
"With advancement of information technology and the aid of computers and emails, PWDs, whether they are hearing impaired, visually impaired or physically disabled, are just as productive as able-bodied persons. They will surely become our valuable and faithful assets so long as employers give them opportunities," Mr Cheung said.
The Vocational Rehabilitation and Retraining Centre, which is subsidised by the Employees Retraining Board, provides courses in business management and computer applications to some 250 PWDs every year. Wah Hong Gift Shop is an online shop which offers gift-wrapping and delivery services.
Ends/Friday, May 15, 2009
Issued at HKT 15:17
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