Manufacturing industry sustains development through collaboration

Both employers and employees of the manufacturing industry should collaborate to develop high value-added products and services in order to sustain development.

Speaking at the reception to celebrate the first anniversary of the Hong Kong Manufacturing Industry Employees General Union, the Commissioner for Labour, Mrs Pamela Tan Kam Mi-wah, said today (September 15) that the manufacturing industry was an important economic pillar of Hong Kong. However, due to globalisation, the industry would unavoidably encounter challenges from other regions.

"In order to tackle these challenges, we have to constantly upgrade our products' technicality, design and quality," Mrs Tan said.

She noted that employees should adopt a life-long learning attitude and persistently enhance their competencies and working abilities. As for employers, they should be far-sighted and invest more resources in encouraging employees to undertake in-service training in order to enhance the enterprise's competitiveness.

In addition, the Secretary for Education and Manpower had announced the implementation of the Skills Upgrading Scheme. The printing and wearing apparel/textile industries in the manufacturing industry were among the six industries in the pilot phase.

She pointed out that various internationally renowned products of the manufacturing industry including wearing apparels, toys and clocks and watches, had made the "Made in Hong Kong" label a guarantee of confidence and quality.

"This was the result of the concerted efforts of all members of the industry," she said.