Creating over 30 000 Jobs

96. Unemployment is the foremost concern of our community. The creation of job opportunities should rest mainly with the private sector so the Government is making great efforts to improve the Hong Kong business environment. In the meantime, the Government understands the employment problems facing our people. With due regard for our long-term development needs, the Government will seek to create more short-term jobs. After much deliberation within Government, we are able to create over 30 000 job opportunities. I will explain here.

97. I have mentioned that Government efforts in the areas of education, environmental protection, public sanitation and greening, together with the demand for health care and welfare services, will create new job opportunities. In these areas, we will create 8 000 more jobs.

98. The Housing Department will improve security services in public housing estates. Together with the additional manpower required for newly-occupied housing estates, some 4 000 new jobs will be created.

99. The Government will carry out improvement and remedial works on various public facilities. Projects will include slope safety works, eliminating flooding problems, starting many of the projects endorsed by the two former municipal councils to improve recreational and cultural facilities and amenities, and school improvement works. More than 20 000 new jobs will be created as a result of all these initiatives.

100. To enhance our efficiency and effectiveness, we have decided to expedite work on projects without sacrificing quality. It is, in fact, our obligation to enhance the efficiency of our work and speed up assessment processes. With projects coming on line more quickly, about 2 000 jobs will be created each year from 2003.

101. While creating job opportunities, we also emphasise the need to maintain a stable and orderly labour market under the present economic circumstances. To maximise employment opportunities for local workers, the Government will take strong action against illegal employment. Apart from moves to intercept illegal immigrants, the Immigration Department and the Police will step up efforts in joint raids and operations to eliminate illegal employment black spots. We will ensure strict compliance with the laws and regulations on importation of labour and foreign domestic helpers. People who employ illegal immigrants and those who work illegally will be prosecuted. Consistent and vigorous efforts will be made to stamp out illegal employment activities.

102. In the course of economic transformation, it is the responsibility of the Government to improve vocational training and retraining. The Government provides approximately $2.2 billion a year to the Vocational Training Council. From this financial year, an annual provision of $400 million has been earmarked for the Employees' Retraining Board. We are currently reviewing the entire training and retraining framework to ensure resources are used most effectively. We will discuss these issues with the related organisations in the coming months. Given the present economic situation, we will particularly keep a close watch on the unemployment situation. We will provide additional resources to retrain unemployed workers based on actual needs.