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HK allocates HK$72.4M for employment programs

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-06-29 19:54

HONG KONG: The Hong Kong government has allocated HK$60.6 million and HK$11.8 million to enhance the Employment Program for the Middle-aged and the Work Orientation and Placement Scheme respectively, according to the government website on Monday.

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The enhanced measures include increasing the financial incentives and extending the subsidy period for participating employers, and they will benefit 8,000 middle-aged job seekers and 800 disabled people over the next two years.

Under the enhanced employment program, the training allowance payable to participating employers who engaged eligible middle-aged job seekers in full-time jobs and provided them with on-the-job training will rise from HK$1,500 to HK$2,000 a month for each employee. The subsidy period for deserving cases will be extended from three months to a maximum of six months.

The financial incentives for employers participating in the work orientation and placement scheme will rise from half to two-thirds of the actual wages paid to the disabled employee during the work trial period, and the payment ceiling will rise from HK$3,000 a month to HK$4,000.

If employers provide comprehensive training and support to their disabled employees, the subsidy period will be extended from three months to a maximum of six months.