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Anuual Report 2006

Chapter 5
Employment Services

The Programme of Employment Services

www.labour.gov.hk/eng/service/content.htm
5.1

One of the foremost concerns of the Labour Department in 2006 was to promote employment. To complement the job creation efforts of the Government, we give every assistance to local job-seekers, particularly the more vulnerable groups. The objective of the Employment Services Programme is to provide a comprehensive range of free and efficient employment assistance and counselling services to help job-seekers find suitable jobs and employers fill their vacancies. We achieve this by:

  • providing user-friendly employment services to employers and job-seekers;
  • offering intensive employment-related assistance and personal service to vulnerable groups of unemployed people;
  • assisting young people to enhance their employability and advising them on careers choice;
  • regulating local employment agencies;
  • safeguarding the interests of local employees employed by employers outside Hong Kong to work in other territories; and
  • ensuring that employment opportunities for local workers are not adversely affected by abuse of the labour importation scheme.
5.2

The two principal legislation administered by this programme area are the Employment Agency Regulations made under the Employment Ordinance and the Contracts for Employment Outside Hong Kong Ordinance.

5.3

The Employment Agency Regulations, together with Part XII of the Employment Ordinance, regulate the operation of employment agencies in Hong Kong through a licensing system, inspection, investigation and prosecution.

5.4

The Contracts for Employment Outside Hong Kong Ordinance safeguards the interests of local manual workers and those non-manual employees with monthly wages not exceeding $20,000 who are recruited by employers outside Hong Kong to work in other territories through the attestation of employment contracts for these jobs.

Our Work and Achievements in 2006

Employment Situation in Hong Kong

5.5

The labour market remained buoyant in 2006. The department received an all-time high of 479 942 vacancies from the private sector, an increase of 13 per cent when compared with 425 952 in 2005. For updated statistics on the labour force, unemployment rate and underemployment rate, please visit the webpage: www.censtatd.gov.hk/hong_kong_statistics/statistical_tables/index.jsp?charsetID=1&subjectID=2&tableID=006

Key Indicators of Work

5.6

To better serve the public, the department vigorously stepped up its employment services for job-seekers. A record-high number of 118 937 placements was achieved in 2006, up 5 per cent over the level of 113 090 in 2005. (Figures 5.1 and 5.2)

A Wider Service Choice

Services offered at Job Centres

5.7

Job-seekers can select suitable vacancies and seek referral service at all job centres. Modern facilities such as digital display system, self-service touch-screen vacancy search terminals, fax machines, toll-free telephones, computers connected to the Internet and a resource corner are available.

Modern facilities for use by job-seekers.
Modern facilities for use by job-seekers.
5.8

Through the Job Matching Programme, placement officers help job-seekers evaluate their academic qualifications, job skills, work experience and job preferences, and encourage them to look for suitable jobs actively. Placement officers also introduce suitable retraining courses to job-seekers where appropriate.

Telephone Employment Service

5.9

Job-seekers registered at the Labour Department may call our Telephone Employment Service Centre on 2969 0888 for job referral service. Through conference calls, staff of the Centre can make arrangement for job-seekers to talk to employers directly.

Internet Employment Service

5.10

Our Interactive Employment Service (iES) website (www.jobs.gov.hk) provides round-the-clock Internet employment service and comprehensive employment information. The iES is one of the most popular government websites, accounting for 28 per cent of the page views for all government websites of Hong Kong. In 2006, the iES achieved a record number of 947 million page views, an increase of 9 per cent over 2005. It hyperlinks with leading employment websites in Hong Kong and hosts a number of dedicated webpages for specific clientele.

Central Processing of Job Vacancies

5.11

Employers who need to recruit staff can send their vacancy information to our Job Vacancy Processing Centre by fax (2566 3331) or telephone (2503 3377) or through the Internet (www.jobs.gov.hk). Vacancy information will be posted at all job centres and uploaded onto the iES in one working day.

Special Recruitment and Promotional Activities

5.12

We organise a variety of activities to promote our employment services. Visits and briefings are conducted to appeal for vacancies from employers. Recruitment seminars and job fairs are held to facilitate job-seekers and employers to meet and communicate directly. In 2006, these recruitment and promotional activities included territory-wide large-scale job fairs as well as thematic functions such as "Job Fair for Tertiary Education Graduates". To assist job-seekers living in remote areas in securing employment, large-scale job fairs were held in Kwai Chung, Tuen Mun, Tin Shui Wai, Yuen Long and Tseung Kwan O. Moreover, to respond more promptly to the recruitment needs of employers and provide a more user-friendly service to job-seekers of different districts, we held district-based job fairs at our major job centres to assist employers to recruit local staff and to enable job-seekers to participate in job interviews without having to travel long distance. These activities reached out to some 125000 job-seekers and employers.

Retraining & Recruitment Post 2006.
Retraining & Recruitment Post 2006.

Intensified Services for the Most Needy

Middle-aged Job-seekers

5.13

The Employment Programme for the Middle-aged was launched in May 2003 to assist the unemployed aged 40 or above to secure employment. Employers who engage an eligible middle-aged job-seeker in a full-time permanent job and offer him/her on-the-job training will receive a training allowance of $1,500 per month, for up to three months. As at the end of 2006, a total of 27 774 placements were secured through the programme.

Work Trial Scheme (WTS)

5.14

We launched the Work Trial Scheme in June 2005 to enhance the employability of job-seekers who have special difficulties in finding jobs. There is no age limit for applicants. During the one-month work-trial without employer-employee relationship, participants will be arranged to take up jobs offered by participating organisations. On completion of the one-month work trial, the Labour Department will pay each participant an allowance of $4,500, while the participating organisation will contribute an additional allowance of $500. As at the end of 2006, a total of 1 127 job-seekers were placed into work trials.

Local Domestic Helpers (LDHs)

5.15
To address the mismatch in supply and demand in the LDH market and to promote LDH service, the Special Incentive Allowance Scheme was launched in June 2003. A sum of $60 million was earmarked to provide incentive allowance to qualified LDHs who are willing to work across districts or during unsocial hours (i.e. outside 9 am to 5 pm on Monday to Friday). Successful applicants will receive an allowance of $50 per day, with an overall cap of $7,200. In 2006, it was decided that the Scheme would be extended to March 2008. As at year end, there were 9 195 approved applications.
5.16

We provide through our job centres a comprehensive range of employment services to new arrivals. These include employment counselling, job referral, employment briefing and employment information.

Workers affected by Large-scale Retrenchment

5.17

In the event of major retrenchment, we will assign special counters at the job centres or render on-the-spot employment services to workers affected. In 2006, the service reached out to 2 135 retrenched workers of 19 companies.

Job-seekers with Disabilities

5.18

The Selective Placement Division (SPD) offers employment assistance to disabled job-seekers looking for open employment. Placement officers will provide personalised counselling, employment services and, where appropriate, make referrals to tailor-made retraining programmes. In 2006, the SPD registered 3 695 disabled job-seekers and helped place 2 493 of them into employment, representing an all-time high placement rate of 67.5 per cent. (Figure 5.3)

Work Orientation and Placement Schem

5.19

The Labour Department launched the Work Orientation and Placement Scheme in April 2005 to enhance the employability of people with disabilities. The scheme features pre-employment training to disabled job-seekers on job-search/interviewing techniques and communication/interpersonal skills, etc, as well as a monthly allowance to the participating employers equivalent to half-month's wages of each disabled employee engaged (subject to a ceiling of $3,000) for up to three months. As at the end of 2006, the scheme recorded 606 disabled participants in this training programme and achieved 565 work placements.

Self Help Integrated Placement Service

5.20

The Self Help Integrated Placement Service (SHIPS) aims at improving the job-searching skills of disabled job-seekers and encouraging them to be more proactive in the search for jobs, thereby enhancing their employment opportunities. In 2006, 530 disabled job-seekers participated in the programme. The overall placement rate was about 70 per cent.

Interactive Selective Placement Service (iSPS) Website

5.21

The SPD launched an Interactive Selective Placement Service (iSPS) Website (http://www.jobs.gov.hk/isps) in January 2003 to provide enhanced employment services for disabled job-seekers and employers through the Internet. The website enables disabled persons to register or renew their registrations with the SPD, browse job vacancy information and perform preliminary job-matching. It also enables employers to place vacancy orders with the SPD, identify suitable disabled job-seekers to fill their vacancies and request the SPD to refer candidates to them for selection interview. Response to the iSPS has been very favourable. In 2006, it recorded a total of 1.93 million page views and 7 802 online requests for the SPD's services.

Promotional Activities

5.22

During the year, the SPD organised the Outstanding Disabled Employees Award and the Enlightened Employers Award Presentation Ceremony and produced a series of radio programmes to enhance public understanding of the working abilities of people with disabilities. We also held seminars for employers and conducted special promotional campaigns on targeted trades to canvass job vacancies.

Employer representatives (left and right) share their experience in employing disabled persons at a seminar.
Employer representatives (left and right) share their experience in employing disabled persons at a seminar.

Services for Young People

Youth Work Experience and Training Scheme (YWETS)

5.23

The YWETS features: (1) 50 hours of career guidance and counselling services to trainees by case managers who are registered social workers; (2) 40 hours of induction training on communication and interpersonal skills for trainees; (3) a monthly training subsidy of $2,000 per trainee payable to employers during the training period; and a training allowance of $4,000 payable to trainees for undertaking off-the-job vocational training courses. As at the end of 2006, 31465 trainees were successfully placed in training vacancies under the scheme. In addition, 16041 trainees found jobs in the open employment market with the assistance of their case managers.

5.24

In 2006, the YWETS continued to develop tailor-made projects for industries and individual establishments. Collaboration between the YWETS with the Youth Pre-employment Training Programme (YPTP) enables the running of "through train" training programmes under which pre-employment job skills training that meets a company's needs is provided under the YPTP, to be immediately followed by on-the-job training under the YWETS. This mode of training is well received by establishments and trainees. In 2006, 20 such tailor-made training-cum-employment projects were run for employers in the retail, catering, tourism, telemarketing and beauty industries.

A trainee works as a library assistant under the "IT Seeds Project".
A trainee works as a library assistant under the "IT Seeds Project".

Youth Pre-employment Training Programme (YPTP)

5.25

In 2006, the YPTP provided a wide range of employment-related training and workplace attachment opportunities to over 7 100 young persons aged 15 to 19. Government departments, training bodies and voluntary agencies join hands to provide the following four modular training: (a) leadership, discipline and team building; (b) job-search and interpersonal skills; (c) elementary/ intermediate computer application; and (d) job-specific skills training. In the new Programme Year, we introduced a number of new training courses geared to market needs. Organisations from the private and public sectors as well as social welfare agencies also offer workplace attachment places for trainees so that they can obtain practical work experience and better understand the real work environment. Professional youth workers are available to provide career counselling and support services throughout the programme. Apart from those pursuing further studies on completion of the programme, over 70 per cent of the trainees have secured employment.

5.26

To maximise the benefits for trainees of the YPTP and the YWETS, a "Revolving Door" mechanism has been introduced by allowing them to move between the two programmes during a programme year. Together, the two programmes provide one-stop training and employment services to young people aged 15 to 24.

YPTP trainees participating in Module A - Leadership, Discipline and Team Building Training.
YPTP trainees participating in Module A - Leadership, Discipline and Team Building Training.
YPTP offers a wide variety of job-specific skills training, including catering training.
YPTP offers a wide variety of job-specific skills training, including catering training.

Careers Information and Guidance

5.27

Our Careers Advisory Service promotes careers education and helps young people choose a career best suited to their talents, interest and abilities. We provide up-to-date information on employment and training opportunities as well as careers counselling and guidance service through our Careers Information Centre. In addition, young people can visit our website (www.labour.gov.hk/careers) to gain quick access to a wide range of careers information.

5.28

We organise a variety of careers activities throughout the year to enhance careers awareness among young people and provide them with first-hand careers information. In February, we organised the 16th Education and Careers Expo jointly with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council to provide the latest information on careers development and further education opportunities. There were 489 participating exhibitors from a wide range of trades, government departments, professional bodies, as well as local and overseas educational and training institutes. The event, which attracted 198977 visitors, was the most popular careers information event in Hong Kong.

Opening Ceremony of the Education & Careers Expo 2006.
Opening Ceremony of the Education & Careers Expo 2006.
5.29

In July and August, we offered a special service package for Secondary 5 school leavers to provide them with a full range of counselling and information on careers and further education opportunities. A hotline and chat room service were set up. An Information Expo, which was held in collaboration with the Education and Manpower Bureau, attracted over 15000 visitors. More than 98800 copies of the tailor-made careers handbook were distributed.

5.30

Two part-time certificate courses in career education were organised for in-service careers masters in the 2006/2007 school year in collaboration with the Education and Manpower Bureau.

Regulating Local Employment Agencies and Employment Outside Hong Kong

5.31

We monitor the operation of employment agencies through licensing, inspection and investigation of complaints. In 2006, 1 702 employment agency licences were issued, one licence was revoked. As at year-end, there were 1 645 licensed employment agencies in Hong Kong. A total of 1321 inspections were made to employment agencies in the year.

5.32

We regulate employment outside the territory to safeguard the interests of local employees engaged by employers outside Hong Kong to work in other territories by attesting all employment contracts entered in Hong Kong involving manual employees and non-manual employees with monthly wages not exceeding $20,000.

Regulating Labour Importation

Supplementary Labour Scheme

5.33

To cater for the genuine needs of employers, the department administers the Supplementary Labour Scheme that allows the entry of imported workers to take up jobs at technician level or below and which cannot be filled locally. The scheme operates on the principles of ensuring the priority of local workers in employment while allowing employers with proven local recruitment difficulties to import labour to fill the necessary job vacancies.

5.34

We provide active job matching and referral services to local job-seekers to ensure their employment priority. Vacancies under the scheme are widely publicised locally. To facilitate local workers in filling the vacancies, they could attend tailor-made retraining courses, if appropriate. Applications from employers who have set restrictive or unreasonable requirements in terms of age, education, sex, skill or experience for the vacancies or who have no genuine intention to employ local workers will be rejected.

5.35

In early 2006, a series of measures under the Supplementary Labour Scheme were introduced as a pilot exercise for the textiles and clothing industry to facilitate a more flexible importation of skilled workers that Hong Kong was lacking.

5.36

As at the end of 2006, there were 1 144 imported workers working in Hong Kong under the Supplementary Labour Scheme.

Policy on Foreign Domestic Helpers (FDHs)

5.37

FDHs have been admitted to work in Hong Kong since 1970's. Like other migrant workers, they enjoy the same statutory rights and benefits as local employees. The Government attaches great importance to protecting the welfare of FDHs, and has taken every step to safeguard their statutory and contractual rights. Claims of breach of statutory rights will be promptly investigated and prosecution action will be taken if there is sufficient evidence. The rights and benefits of FDHs are also widely publicised. To this end, the Labour Department staged two information kiosks and one information expo for FDHs at places they frequently gather on their rest days in June and November 2006. The events attracted over 16 000 visitors. The Labour Department has also maintained close liaison with consulates of the FDH-exporting countries and non-government organisations serving FDHs to better address the concerns of the helpers.

5.38

As at the end of 2006, there were 232 800 FDHs in Hong Kong, an increase of 4.3 per cent compared with 223 200 in 2005. About 51.9 per cent of the FDHs in Hong Kong were from the Philippines and 44.7 per cent from Indonesia.