Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1996, published 85th ILC session (1997)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Ratification: 1997)

The Committee notes the Government's report which, as usual, contains comprehensive and detailed information. The Committee notes that there was a slowing down of the growth of employment during the period in question, whilst unemployment rose to a rate of 3.5 per cent at the end of 1995. The Government indicates that having unfilled job vacancies and growing unemployment at the same time shows there is still a mismatch between supply and demand in job skills. The Committee notes that vocational training and the selective management of immigration are the two main instruments for intervening in the labour market. It notes in particular that vocational retraining has been stepped up - with the participation of the tripartite Employees' Retraining Board - and that a study is being conducted of the effectiveness of the employees' retraining schemes. The Committee would be grateful if, in its next report, the Government would provide the results of this review, and describe the effects of these schemes on the promotion of full, productive and freely chosen employment within the meaning of Article 1 of the Convention. More generally, with reference to Article 2 of the Convention, it asks the Government to indicate any new measures taken within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy in order to combat the growth in unemployment. Please continue also to supply information concerning the consultations held in accordance with Article 3 of the Convention.