TAIPEI: The Executive Yuan decided to extend the temporary job program for flood victims as the program was officially kicked off yesterday.

Commander of the Central Emergency Operation Center Mao Chi-kuo announced that the program, originally designed to last 14 days, will be extended to September 17.

The number of job openings has also been doubled to 220,000, he said.

According to the Council of Labor Affairs (CLA), the temporary employment program will provide 200 jobs in each of the 40 flood-affected townships.

The temporary jobs will pay an hourly wage of NT$100 ($3.04), or NT$800 ($24.32) a day, for tasks related to cleanup and other projects to restore flooded buildings and communities, the CLA said.

Registration for jobs began in five towns in Chiayi and Tainan counties last week in the pilot stage of the program. Officials said the public has responded well to the program, judging from the registration.

More than 600 people who lost their jobs as a result of the flooding and mudslides caused by Typhoon Morakot in southern Taiwan started their temporary jobs yesterday.

They include the 487 people who registered for temporary jobs in the five pilot towns last week. Another 119 job seekers were placed as the program was initiated in other towns yesterday morning.

The budget for the program, estimated at NT$200 million ($6.08 million), will be taken from the government's employment security fund, the CLA said in a statement yesterday.

Mao said the program was designed to help the flood victims by providing them with work opportunities, instead of simply giving cash handouts, and may have a better effect in helping disaster victims cope with the loss of homes or family members.

When the initial one-month period expires, the workers will be given other employment opportunities by the CLA, he said.

While flood victims are given priority in the program, unemployed people in general can register, too.

HK donates HK$50 m

The Legislative Council Finance Committee in Hong Kong will inject HK$50 million into the Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee to help with disaster relief in Taiwan.

Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Stephen Lam said the government will give the money to Taiwan through the Chung Hwa Travel Service.

Lam said the Hong Kong government will follow up with Taiwan authorities on how to best use the funds.

At least 126 people died in Taiwan after Typhoon Morakot hit last week, Lam said during a meeting of the finance committee. Another 400 are feared buried by landslides caused by record rainfalls.

Agricultural products, water facilities and transportation networks were also severely damaged, he said.

Lam said donating HK$50 million is an appropriate move and he is confident that Taiwan authorities will use the donations cautiously.

In another fundraising effort, the Hong Kong Performing Artists Guild organized a charity concert at AsiaWorld-Expo last night.

The guild hoped to raise least HK$40 million. The funds will be given to Taiwan through the Red Cross.

"We are sending our wishes to Taiwan," said guild chairman Eric Tsang Chi-wai. "We have received (a lot of) material aid. Hong Kong people are ready to give a helping hand."

Some 150 Hong Kong and Taiwan artists participated in the concert.

China Daily/CNA

(HK Edition 08/18/2009 page2)