SLW visits HKBPE to show support for participating social enterprises and rehabilitation service units (with photos)
22.12.2022

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, accompanied by the Director of Social Welfare, Miss Charmaine Lee, and the Chairperson of the Advisory Committee on Enhancing Employment of People with Disabilities, Dr Kevin Lau, visited the 56th Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo (HKBPE) at Victoria Park today (December 22) to show support for the participating social enterprises and rehabilitation service units subsidised by the Social Welfare Department (SWD) and learn about the work of the persons with disabilities at the venue. Mr Sun was pleased to note that some participating small enterprises this year are subsidised by the Enhancing Employment of People with Disabilities through Small Enterprise Project (the 3E Project). He said that the 3E Project, which provides non-governmental organisations (NGOs) with subsidies to set up social enterprises and provide employment for persons with disabilities, has granted about $156 million since its launch, sponsoring 137 businesses and creating 966 job opportunities for persons with disabilities. He encouraged NGOs to continue to make good use of the 3E Project to enable employment for persons with disabilities and the building of an inclusive society for all. "The Government is committed to promoting employment of persons with disabilities, thus encouraging them to build self-reliance and integrate into the community. To equip them for the job market, the SWD, through subvented NGOs, has been providing vocational rehabilitation and training services such as sheltered workshops, supported employment, Integrated Vocational Rehabilitation Services Centres (IVRSCs), Integrated Vocational Training Centres, and implementing an On the Job Training Programme for People with Disabilities, and the Sunnyway - On the Job Training Programme for Young People with Disabilities, so that persons with individual disabilities and needs can learn to adapt to general work requirements in specially designed training environments and obtain appropriate employment support," Mr Sun said. He said that the SWD is planning to roll out a pilot project in 2023 for setting up the Vocational Rehabilitation Advanced Training Courses to enhance the training model of sheltered workshops and IVRSCs through introducing more diversified vocational training modules with different training levels, allowing more training choices commensurate with the trainees' abilities and talents, and thus more diversity in their employment opportunities. Miss Lee expressed her gratitude to the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong for extending its invitation to the SWD once again for the HKBPE, which will provide an opportunity for social enterprises to showcase their quality products and services. The persons with disabilities employed by the social enterprises can also unleash their talents and contribute to society. She urged members of the public to show their support for social enterprises and persons with disabilities at the expo during the holidays and make this festive season even more meaningful. The 56th HKBPE being held at Victoria Park started on December 9 and will last until January 1 next year. Fifteen social enterprises and rehabilitation service units subsidised by the SWD will take turns to sell or promote their diversified products and services ranging from handicrafts, ornaments, cookies and facemasks to red packet envelopes at booths Nos. 4A11 to 4A14. Information on the booths of the 15 social enterprises and rehabilitation service units at the HKBPE, with details of their products and services, is set out in the Annex. More details of the social enterprises subsidised by the 3E Project can be found in the 3E Project Social Enterprises 2022 pamphlet (Chinese only), which is available at www.mcor.swd.gov.hk/pdf/news/3E%20Project%20Social%20Enterprises%202022%20Pamphlet.pdf .