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Tackling aging population in five ways: HK chief executive

Xinhua, January 13, 2016 Adjust font size:

Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said on Wednesday that the Hong Kong government is tackling aging population in five ways.

Delivering his annual policy address at the Legislative Council, Leung said the measures include unleashing the potential of the local labor force, nurturing local manpower, attracting talent from outside Hong Kong, fostering a supportive environment to form a family and active aging.

"Apart from the package of measures announced in my last Policy Address, I propose to make greater efforts attracting talent and building an age-friendly environment," he added.

The proportion of elderly population aged 65 or above will increase from 15 percent, or 1.07 million, in 2014 to 36 percent, or 2.58 million, in 2064. At the same time, our labor force will decrease continuously from 3.6 million in 2014 to 3.11 million in 2064, Leung said.

He said the government has launched a number of measures to refine the existing talent admission arrangements. The pilot scheme to facilitate the return of the second generation of Hong Kong emigrants for employment has been well received. The government plans to set up a dedicated information platform for the second generation of Hong Kong emigrants, Hong Kong students educated in overseas tertiary institutions and overseas professionals to provide them with employment information.

Leung also mentioned that there will be a shortage of about 10,000 to 15,000 skilled workers in the construction industry for the coming few years.

"While we will strive to provide training and attract local workers to join the industry, there is still a genuine need to import workers to cater for our development needs, on the premise of according priority to local workers in employment and safeguarding their wage levels," he added. Endit