HK to Launch Trial Employment Scheme for DisabledsThe Hong Kong Labor Department announced Monday that it would launch a new trial placement scheme on September 1 to encourage employers to offer job vacancies to people with disabilities.Under this scheme, the Selective Placement Division of the Labor Department would refer suitable job seekers with disabilities to fill the vacancies offered by participating employers for a one-month trial placement. "During this period, placement officers will actively follow up on the performance of the employees and assist them to settle in the jobs as soon as possible," Siu Lap-kei, a senior labor officer, said Monday. Participating employers will receive a financial incentive amounting to 50 percent of the wages paid to the employee during the trial period. The maximum subsidy will be 3,000 HK dollars (385 U.S. dollars). A Certificate of Appreciation will be awarded to employers who continue to employ the disabled employees for at least another month after the trial period. Employees who have successfully completed the trial placement will also be presented with a Certificate of Commendation. The trial scheme is the extension of an earlier pilot scheme for job-seekers who are mentally handicapped. The pilot scheme, launched in April 1998, proved to be very successful as about half of the 199 participants were offered permanent employment after the trial placement period. |
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