Secretary for the Civil Service Joseph Wong has ruled out any move stipulating that Government departments should employ a certain percentage of disabled people.

Responding to a query in the Legislative Council today, Mr Wong said prevailing policy helps promote employment for the disabled by emphasising vocational rehabilitation, promotion and practical assistance.

Mr Wong said it is not appropriate or effective to promote the employment of the disabled by imposing a compulsory quota system for Government departments, as the disabled will be perceived as a liability, making them difficult to be accepted by their peers at work.

Valued staff

Thirty-six Government departments hire 190 disabled on non-civil service contracts, while the Airport and Hospital Authorities and the two rail corporations employ 901 disabled in total.

He said the Government's policy is to help the disabled develop personal capabilities for securing jobs in the open market, to enable them to become self-reliant and to integrate fully into the society. Therefore, the Government and the community should help the disabled find jobs on the basis of their ability.

Measures have been launched to encourage and assist employers to hire disabled staff, such as providing employers with wage subsidies, giving administrative support to employers in placing job vacancies on the Internet and in searching for suitable candidates, as well as presenting awards to employers in recognition of their efforts in offering jobs for the disabled.