Remarks by SLW on talent attraction and importation of labour
Following are the remarks by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, on talent attraction and importation of labour at a media session after attending a radio programme this morning (August 31) :
Reporter: For the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS), it seems that a lot of them are from the Mainland instead of attracting international talent. Do you think it has actually defeated the purpose of the scheme?
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: I don't think so. Speaking of international talent, I think it is more important for us to look at their ability and perspective rather than just their nationality. I can give you an example. Category C of TTPS refers to fresh graduates of eligible universities in the past five years with less than three years of work experience after graduation. If you look at where they are graduating from, the biggest category is those graduating from universities in the United States. While they may be Mainlanders, they received their higher education in America. Obviously they have a more international perspective. With these people in Hong Kong, I am sure they are going to bring benefits and add value to our economy.
Reporter: How about the Bureau's future planning in recruiting more talent? Could you give any details on the direction of the review of the scheme, and why is the Bureau eyeing talent from Malaysia?
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: Now that the TTPS has been put in place for around one and a half years, with the set up of Hong Kong Talent Engage, we have the manpower to conduct more overseas promotion. Having done a desk research, we believe the first stop we should go to is obviously Southeast Asia. Among Southeast Asian countries, we believe Malaysia is the most appropriate place that we should go for, because there are lots of ethnic Chinese in Malaysia. Most of them are trilingual as they can speak fluent English, Putonghua as well as Cantonese. We believe by attracting more Malaysian, in particular Malaysian Chinese, to Hong Kong, it is going to bring benefit to Hong Kong and they are more likely to assimilate into Hong Kong much more easily.
Reporter: Lastly, could you give an update on importation of labour? How many applications have the Bureau received since rolling out the scheme? How many of them are expected to arrive by the end of this year?
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: Up to this moment, under the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme, the number of imported workers we have approved is around 21 000. Once we have granted these applications, employers have to apply the visas for their imported labour within six months. The exact moment of their arrival depends on whether or not the employers are going to make use of the quota allocated when they are allowed to import labour into Hong Kong. Thank you.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)
"Let's T.A.L.K. and Walk with Kids" stakeholder engagement event to promote positive parenting and strengthen family bonding held today
The Commission on Children (CoC), the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) and the Social Welfare Department today (September 14) jointly held the"Let's T.A.L.K. and Walk with Kids" stakeholder engagement and Mid-Autumn Festival celebration event under the theme of positive parenting and family bonding. Through a variety of parent-child interactive games, stress relief activities and sharing sessions, the event aimed at promoting positive parenting, enhancing family bonding and celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Over 80 participants from around 30 families with children participating in the Child Development Fund
and their family members attended the event. The Secretary for Labour and Welfare and Vice-chairperson of the CoC, Mr Chris Sun, together with ex-officio member of the CoC, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Siu Chak-yee, and the Director of Social Welfare, Miss Charmaine Lee, joined the event to cheer on the parents and children.
Mr Sun said that a harmonious family relationship is conducive to the healthy development of children, both physically and mentally. He encouraged parents to spend more time playing with their children and share quality parent-child moments together. Mr Siu hoped that the event, with a series of diverse and challenging parent-child interactive games, would provide participants with special family time together, and could promote positive and healthy family relationships. Miss Lee said that families are the cornerstone of society and the backbone of child protection. She encouraged families to develop stronger familial bonds and enhanced care so that a loving and harmonious environment can be built for the children.
As part of the "Walk with Kids" thematic campaign of the CoC, the stakeholder engagement event was conducted in the format of a day camp at the Junior Police Call Permanent Activity Centre and Integrated Youth Training Camp at Pat Heung. Non-official members of the CoC moderated the group sharing sessions, listening to parents sharing parenting experiences, and providing suggestions for practising positive parenting and enhancing family relationships. Under the guidance of the clinical psychologist from the HKPF, parents also learned and shared relaxation techniques with an aim to assist them in facing parenting challenges with a positive mindset amid their busy daily lives. Apart from a series of parent-child adventure and experiential activities, there was a lantern-making workshop to enhance interaction and collaboration between parents and their children, riding on the vibe of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
"Let's T.A.L.K. and Walk with Kids" stakeholder engagement event to promote positive parenting and strengthen family bonding held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
"Let's T.A.L.K. and Walk with Kids" stakeholder engagement event to promote positive parenting and strengthen family bonding held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
"Let's T.A.L.K. and Walk with Kids" stakeholder engagement event to promote positive parenting and strengthen family bonding held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
"Let's T.A.L.K. and Walk with Kids" stakeholder engagement event to promote positive parenting and strengthen family bonding held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
"Let's T.A.L.K. and Walk with Kids" stakeholder engagement event to promote positive parenting and strengthen family bonding held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
"Let's T.A.L.K. and Walk with Kids" stakeholder engagement event to promote positive parenting and strengthen family bonding held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
"Let's T.A.L.K. and Walk with Kids" stakeholder engagement event to promote positive parenting and strengthen family bonding held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
"Let's T.A.L.K. and Walk with Kids" stakeholder engagement event to promote positive parenting and strengthen family bonding held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
