Employees Retraining

124.         Over the years, the Employees Retraining Board (ERB) has strived to improve the employability of local workers to maintain the competitiveness of our economy. I affirm the role and contributions of the ERB and consider that it should be provided with sustained and stable financial support as a long-term commitment to enhancing the productivity of local workers. I have asked the Secretary for Labour and Welfare to work out the long-term financial arrangements for the ERB and submit proposals to the Financial Secretary. Meanwhile, the Government notes that there are different views in the community on the Employees Retraining Levy imposed on employers of foreign domestic helpers (FDHs). To ease the burden on families employing FDHs, I have decided to abolish the FDH levy when the suspension of its collection expires on 31 July 2013. This will reduce the levy receipts of the Government by about $1.5 billion a year.

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