Labour Advisory Board Report 2007-2008 - Chapter 5

Committee on Employment Services

5.1 Introduction

In May 1976, a sub-committee of the Labour Advisory Board was appointed to advise the Commissioner for Labour on matters concerning the operation of the Employment Services Division (ESD) of the Labour Department (LD). The sub-committee was renamed the Committee on Employment Services (CES) in 1978 and its terms of reference were extended to cover the work of all divisions under the Employment Services Programme of the LD.

5.2 Terms of Reference

The committee is established to:

• advise on the employment services provided by the LD, including those for the able-bodied and people with disabilities, and the careers advisory service for young people;
• advise on legislative provisions relating to the operation of employment agencies; and
• advise on legislative provisions relating to the employment of local workers outside Hong Kong.

5.3 Composition

Members of the CES are appointed by the Commissioner for Labour. The composition of the committee for the term 2007-2008 is as follows:

Chairman:	To be appointed from the non-government sector
Members:	Two# employer representatives from the Labour Advisory Board Two# employee representatives from the Labour Advisory Board Two employer representatives from outside the Labour Advisory Board Two employee representatives from outside the Labour Advisory Board A representative nominated by a major employer user of the employment services of the Labour Department A representative of people with disabilities who make use of the employment services of the Labour Department Two representatives nominated by two employment agency associations A representative nominated by the Hong Kong Association of Careers Masters and Guidance Masters A representative nominated by the Employees Retraining Board A representative nominated by the Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management A representative from one of the social partners of the Labour Department A representative from a tertiary educational institution Assistant Commissioner for Labour (Employment Services)
Secretary:	A Labour Officer of the Labour Department

^# Only one representative shall be appointed if the chairman has been appointed from this group.

The membership list of the CES for the term 2007-2008 is at Appendix II.

5.4 Activities during the 2007-2008 Term

During the 2007-2008 term, the CES offered advice on the following employment services and programmes:

Employment services

The ESD provides free employment services to able-bodied job seekers. The Employment Information and Promotion Division aims at strengthening the promotion of the LD employment services and the dissemination of job vacancy information through organising publicity and promotional activities. The Selective Placement Division offers specialised placement service to people with disabilities seeking open employment. The CES gave valuable suggestions on programmes and improvement measures, including the Work Trial Scheme, the Transport Support Scheme and the employment services for employees affected by the economic downturn, etc.

Youth Pre-employment Training Programme and Youth Work Experience and Training Scheme

The Youth Pre-employment Training Programme was launched in September 1999 to enhance the competitiveness and employability of young school leavers aged 15-19 through pre-employment training. The Youth Work Experience and Training Scheme was launched in July 2002 to provide on-the-job training to young people aged 15-24 with education attainment below degree level. The CES noted the progress of the youth programmes and provided valuable suggestions on their way forward.

Careers Advisory Service

The Careers Advisory Service provides careers education through the provision of careers information to facilitate young people in choosing a career best suited to their talent, interests and abilities. It operates two youth employment resource centres, in the name of Youth Employment Start (Y.E.S.), to provide one-stop advisory and support services on employment and self-employment to young people aged 15-29. The CES gave constructive advice on the services and training programmes offered by the Y.E.S.

Regulation of employment agencies

The Employment Agencies Administration monitors the operation of employment agencies under Part XII of the Employment Ordinance and the Employment Agency Regulations made thereunder. The CES noted the work pertaining to the regulation of employment agencies.

Visit

In December 2008, the CES visited the Y.E.S. situated in Langham Place, Mong Kok to gain a better understanding of the services and facilities provided to young people by the centre. The CES noted the employment assistance rendered to young people by the Y.E.S. and the enthusiastic participation of various activities by young people in the centre.