Following is a question by the Hon Shiu Ka-chun and a written reply by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, in the Legislative Council today (February 28):

Question:

     In December 2011, the Government established, on a pilot basis, a one-stop employment and training centre called "Employment in One-stop" (EOS) in Tin Shui Wai to provide job seekers with the basic employment services of a job centre, as well as case management and employment support services to be delivered by a non-governmental organisation commissioned under an outsourced service contract (commissioned organisation). In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the details of the basic employment services provided at EOS respectively for (a) the ethnic minorities (EMs) and (b) all job seekers, in each of the past four years (set out in Table 1);

(2) of the details of the case management and employment support services provided at EOS respectively for (a) EMs and (b) all job seekers, in each of the past four years (set out in Table 2);

(3) as the Government stated in July 2014 that it would review the effectiveness of the service model of EOS after two years, of the outcome of such a review; whether it will make public the review report concerned; if so, when it will do so; if not, the reasons for that; and

(4) whether it has plans to (i) establish EOSs in other districts, and (ii) establish in certain districts EOSs dedicated to serving EMs; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

President,

     My reply to the question raised by the Member is as follows:

(1) Details of the basic employment services provided at "Employment in One-stop" (EOS) respectively for (a) the ethnic minorities (EMs) and (b) all job seekers in each of the past four years are set out in Table 3.

(2) Details of the case management and employment support services provided at EOS respectively for (a) EMs and (b) all job seekers in each of the past four years are set out in Table 4.
 
(3) and (4) The Government reviewed the operation, relevant data and information of EOS in 2016. It was found that the overall number of unemployed able-bodied Comprehensive Social Security Assistance cases had been declining continuously as a result of the buoyant employment market in recent years and it was difficult to conclusively ascertain the effectiveness of the case management and employment support services of EOS.  The relevant data and information on EOS reviewed at that time was only used for the Government’s internal discussion, and no review report was prepared for public consumption.

     The Government subsequently decided to continue to operate EOS under the existing mode of operation, and closely monitor various aspects of EOS' performance before reviewing it again to map out the way forward. The Government has no plan at present to establish EOS in other districts or EOS dedicated to serving EMs. Nonetheless, starting from May 2017, the Labour Department has engaged employment assistants proficient in EM languages at EOS and the Kowloon West Job Centre on a pilot basis to provide employment services for EM job seekers (especially those of South Asian origins).

Ends/Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Issued at HKT 18:17

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