LCQ20: Re-employment Allowance Pilot Scheme
Following is a question by Reverend Canon the Hon Peter Douglas Koon and a written reply by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, in the Legislative Council today (May 7):
Question:
The 2023 Policy Address announced the launch of a three-year Re-employment Allowance Pilot Scheme (the Pilot Scheme), targeting at elderly and middle-aged persons aged 40 or above who have not been in paid employment for three consecutive months or more. To encourage these persons to rejoin the workforce, those who have worked for six consecutive months will be provided with a maximum allowance of $10,000, while those who have worked for 12 consecutive months will be given an additional maximum allowance of $10,000. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether it will further improve the Pilot Scheme, such as increasing the amount of allowance, and strengthening employment counselling, job referral and post-placement follow-up services; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(2) whether performance indicators have been set for the Pilot Scheme, and whether the effectiveness of the Scheme in promoting re-employment among elderly and middle-aged persons is reviewed in a timely manner; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
Launched by the Labour Department (LD) on July 15, 2024, the three-year Re-employment Allowance Pilot Scheme (REA Scheme) encourages persons aged 40 or above who have not been in paid employment for three consecutive months or more to join the employment market. Each eligible participant who has worked full-time for six consecutive months will be provided with a re-employment allowance (REA) of $10,000, while those who have worked full-time for 12 consecutive months will be given an additional allowance of $10,000. Half-rate REA will be given to those who have worked part-time. Each participant may receive a maximum REA of $20,000 during the implementation of the REA Scheme. In response to the Member's question, the reply is provided below.
The response to the REA Scheme is very favourable. From July 15, 2024 toMarch 31, 2025, over 38000 participants and more than 16000 placements were recorded, far exceeding the original target of benefiting 6000 employed persons during the three-year implementation period.
The LD has been providing free and diversified employment services for participants of the REA Scheme. Participants may search for jobs through the LD's Interactive Employment Service website (www.jobs.gov.hk), job centres across the territory, the Telephone Employment Service Hotline (29690888) or other channels. In addition, the LD from time to time stages large-scale job fairs targeting the elderly and middle-aged as well as district-based job fairs on part-time employment, etc, to promote the employment of the elderly and middle-aged. In tandem, the Government has commissioned two service providers, which have set up 12service spots across the territory and two telephone hotlines, to assist with the implementation of the Scheme.
The LD will closely monitor the implementation of the REA Scheme and make timely adjustments to the implementation arrangements in light of the employment market situation and the views of the stakeholders.
The LD plans to conduct a mid-term review on the REA Scheme in the first quarter of 2026 to evaluate the effectiveness of the Scheme and map out the way forward. As the number of employment placements may be affected by various factors such as the economy, labour market situation and the personal circumstances of job seekers, it is not appropriate to set key performance indicators for the REA Scheme.
World Class University Presidents Forum 2026 elevates Hong Kong's global voice in higher education
The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, spoke at the World Class University Presidents Forum 2026 today (November 5), highlighting Hong Kong's growing strength, global voice, and strategic vision as a premier international higher education hub.
Addressing an international audience of university presidents and academic leaders, Dr Choi noted that the forum gathered leaders and university presidents representing more than one-third of the world's top 50 universities. "Assembling such a distinguished constellation of global academic leadership strongly reaffirms Hong Kong's standing as an international education hub and significantly enhances the city's discourse power in the global educational arena," she said.
Dr Choi emphasised that Hong Kong's institutional strength is firmly rooted in academic excellence, robust national support, and open connectivity. Citing the latest QS World University Rankings: Asia 2027, she noted the impressive achievements of Hong Kong institutions, and pointed out that Hong Kong continues to set regional benchmarks, with five local universities securing places among Asia's top 10. Serving as a vital bridge between East and West, Hong Kong offers a fertile ecosystem characterised by internationalisation and diversification which brings global talent together to address shared global challenges.
"Alongside signature international events such as the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education Conference and Exhibition held in February this year, the World Class University Presidents Forum 2026 forms part of a strategic series of signature initiatives promoting the 'Study in Hong Kong' brand worldwide, underscoring the city's role as a key driver shaping the future of global higher education," added Dr Choi.
Elaborating on the forum's theme, "Higher Education Reimagined: Innovating for the Future", Dr Choi stressed that no matter how the global landscape evolves, universities remain fundamentally tied to economic development, societal well-being, and human progress. World-leading institutions must stand at the forefront, guiding that transformation. Meanwhile, Hong Kong's educational future is taking concrete physical shape through the development of the Northern Metropolis University Town.
Under the "One Town, Five Elements" framework, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is building a holistic campus ecosystem integrating higher education, advanced research, market innovation, vibrant living spaces, and top-tier talent. Positioned at the gateway to the Chinese Mainland, the University Town will foster deep industry-academia-research integration, linking academic research directly with industry capabilities to serve national development under the 15th Five-Year Plan.
As a premier global event in higher education, the World Class University Presidents Forum 2026 aims to further demonstrate Hong Kong's unique strength and pivotal status as a bridge connecting the Mainland with the global higher education system. Bringing together presidents, renowned scholars, and international education leaders from dozens of world-leading universities, the forum addresses key issues including talent cultivation in the intelligent age, technology and innovation driving the future economy, and universities' responses to major global challenges.
World Class University Presidents Forum 2026 elevates Hong Kong's global voice in higher education Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
World Class University Presidents Forum 2026 elevates Hong Kong's global voice in higher education Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
World Class University Presidents Forum 2026 elevates Hong Kong's global voice in higher education Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
