Chief Executive Donald Tsang has proposed a series of measures to foster harmony in the community, by helping job seekers, families and the disabled.

In his first Policy Address today, he said the Government will form partnerships with different organisations and sectors to engender a sense of friendship and mutual support.

"The pillars of Hong Kong's success include the rule of law upheld by an independent judiciary, the free flow of information, a clean government and a level playing field for business. They are also the foundations of a harmonious society. The Government is determined to safeguard the rule of law, respect judicial independence, protect the rights and freedoms our people enjoy, and uphold social justice," he said, adding legislation prohibiting racism will be proposed.

Looking at livelihood

To help young people find work and to raise the overall effectiveness of the Youth Pre-employment Training Programme, trainees will be offered more skill courses, and a greater variety from which to choose.

The programme's workplace attachment training allowance will double to $2,000 to encourage more trainees to gain actual work experience. The number of fee-waiving places under the After School Care Programme will rise so more low-income family members can work. The Government will work with schools to provide students with after-school learning and other support services.

The Labour Department will open two new job centres in Yuen Long and North District. Several temporary public sector jobs will be extended to meet operational needs. And the eligibility criteria of the Incentive Allowance Scheme for Local Domestic Helpers will be relaxed to promote the development of the local maid market.

Meanwhile, the Labour Department will strengthen enforcement action against wage defaulters, and will propose increasing the maximum penalty for wage default offences.

Disabled aid

Community support services for the disabled and their families will be enhanced. To facilitate their early return to the community, the Government will provide severely disabled people, including tetraplegia patients, with transitional residence, day training, nursing and support services.

It will provide discharged patients suffering mental, physical or neurological impairments with continuous day rehabilitation and infirmary care services. For the disabled residing in rehabilitation facilities, a new scheme will see visiting doctors take care of their medical needs.

"We will conduct public consultation on the outcome of the review and start the necessary legislative process as soon as possible to ensure the provision of barrier-free access to buildings for the disabled," Mr Tsang added.

Functioning families

New resources will be allocated to strengthen and extend family education. The values, ethics and individual responsibility needed for family harmony will be promoted through media publicity and district activities.

A pilot scheme providing counselling to domestic violence offenders will be launched in the coming year. The Government will also help domestic violence victims understand their rights, the protection afforded by law and the support services rendered by the Government, and encourage them to seek help as early as possible.

"We will allocate additional resources and utilise community capital to set up community support networks, and will reach out to families that have not sought help to address their problems at an early stage," Mr Tsang said.