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Following is a transcript of remarks (English portion) by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, at a media session after attending the Conference on Transforming Inter-generational Poverty this morning (November 2):
Reporter: (What will the Government do to address the concerns of the employee representatives of the Labour Advisory Board and their stop on applications processing under the Supplementary Labour Scheme?)
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: The Labour Department in fact has been in touch with the Immigration Department to explore ways and means of addressing the concerns of the employee members of the Labour Advisory Board. I appeal to the employee members "not" to stop vetting the applications (under the Supplementary Labour Scheme) because this will have tremendous implications on the operation of the imported labour scheme, particularly given the fact that most of the imported labour work for elderly homes and homes for persons with disabilities. They are mostly care workers, so there is a great need for them. I would appeal to the employee members to resume vetting the applications as quickly as possible in the public interest.
(Please also refers to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Issued at HKT 15:52
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