【原文】摘錄自11月23日香港《文匯報》：社會福利署將於明年10月起以試驗形式推行「失業受助人士支援計劃」，協助年齡介乎15歲至59歲的失業健全綜援受助人重投勞工市場。該計劃要求受助人每周參與至少一小時由非政府機構營辦的無償工作，直至他們找到有薪工作或重返主流教育。計劃有助於受助人士獲得寶貴的技能及經驗，起到協助重投職場的作用。計劃執行的關鍵是要做好細節安排，設置不同的工種和模式，真正起到授人以漁的作用。

「失業受助人士支援計劃」是特區政府協助健全失業綜援受助人重返勞動市場的一次新嘗試。據統計，現有失業健全綜援受助人中，約有一半年齡介乎50歲至59歲，不少人由於學歷及技術水平偏低，就業能力相對較弱。政府期望通過該計劃，提升他們受僱的競爭力，培養他們的工作習慣，從而促進他們更好地融入社會，最終實現從綜援依賴向自力更生的轉變。

從政策層面來看，該計劃無疑具有積極意義，亦符合社會對提升就業率、增強勞動力市場活力的普遍期待。該計劃提出了無償工作的要求，每周至少一小時，而違反規定者及其家庭將被停發7天綜援金額。雖然時間看似不長，但對長期失業、缺乏工作習慣的受助人來說，有助於擴大其社交圈子，逐漸找回工作的感覺，更能有效避免他們因長期與社會脫節而進一步邊緣化。然而，要讓這一計劃真正發揮其應有的作用，關鍵還在於細節的精心設計與執行。

首先，無償工作的種類應該多樣化。由於不同受助人的興趣、能力和需求各不相同，因此營辦機構應提供多種無償工作選項，如社區服務、環境保護、文化活動策劃、教育輔導等，讓受助人能根據自身特點選擇適合的工作。這樣既能增強他們的工作興趣，也有助於提高工作質量和效率，更好地與將來可能從事的有薪工作相銜接。

其次，參與模式需靈活化。每周一小時的工作時間，對於某些技能提升項目來說可能過短，難以達到預期效果。政府應考慮設置不同的參與模式，如根據工作類型和難度調整工作時間，或允許受助人選擇集中時間段進行無償工作。這樣既能保證工作的連續性和有效性，也能更好地配合受助人的實際情況。

再者，營辦機構的選擇和監督也至關重要。政府應確保營辦機構具備專業性和公信力，能為受助人提供質量有保障的無償工作機會。同時，還應建立有效的監督機制，對營辦機構的工作進行定期評估和調整，確保計劃目標可以順利實現。

香港失業率長期處於低水平，受助人只要具備合適的技能，不難找到工作。因此社署一直努力協助健全的失業綜援受助人重投職場，但部分受助人仍然沒有動力參與工作，主要是主觀意願不足。因此在計劃推廣初期，不排除部分受助人可能對無償工作表現出抵制和抗拒的態度。社署在計劃執行初期須加強與社會各界的溝通和宣傳，及時回應關切和質疑。

在執行過程中，社署應充分關注受助人的實際需求和反饋，及時調整計劃方案，以真正起到授人以漁的作用。期待政府能夠以務實的態度、細緻的工作，讓該計劃能夠真正幫助到健全的失業綜援受助人，為他們重新找到生活的方向和希望。

Empowering unemployed CSSA recipients with strategic support

【譯文】The Social Welfare Department will launch a pilot scheme from October next year to support unemployed Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients, helping able-bodied CSSA recipients aged between 15 and 59 re-enter the labour market. The scheme requires these recipients to participate in at least one hour of voluntary work organised by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) each week until they secure paid employment or return to mainstream education. The scheme helps recipients gain valuable skills and experience, thereby aiding their reintegration into the workforce. The key to the scheme's success lies in meticulous planning and offering various types of work and models, truly embodying the principle of "teaching a man how to fish."

The Support Scheme for Unemployed CSSA Recipients (The Scheme) is a new initiative by the Government to assist these able-bodied recipients in re-entering the labour market. According to statistics, about half of the current able-bodied unemployed CSSA recipients are aged between 50 and 59, and many of them have relatively weak employability due to their low educational and skill levels. The government hopes that through The Scheme, their employability will be enhanced, their work habits will be cultivated, and they will be better integrated into society, ultimately achieving the transition from dependency on CSSA to self-reliance.

From a policy perspective, the Scheme undoubtedly has positive significance and aligns with society's general expectations for improving employment rates and enhancing the vibrancy of the labour market. The Scheme imposes the requirement of working without pay for at least one hour a week, and the CSSA payments for violators and their families will be suspended for seven days. Although the time may seem short, for long-term unemployed individuals who lack the habit of working, it helps to expand their social circles, gradually regain the feeling of working, and more effectively avoid further marginalisation due to prolonged social disconnection. However, the key to enabling this programme to fully play its due functions lies in the careful design and implementation of the details.

Firstly, the types of unpaid work should be diversified. As the interests, abilities, and needs of different CSSA recipients vary, the operating NGOs should offer a variety of unpaid work options, such as community service, environmental protection, cultural event planning, educational tutoring, and more. This would allow recipients to choose work that suits their individual characteristics. Such an approach would not only enhance their interest in the work but also help improve the quality and efficiency of the work, better aligning with potential future paid employment.

Secondly, the participation model should be flexible. For some skill enhancement projects, one hour of work per week may be too short to achieve the desired results. The government should consider setting different participation models, such as adjusting the work hours based on the type and difficulty of the work, or allowing recipients to choose concentrated time periods for their unpaid work. This would ensure the continuity and effectiveness of the work, while also better accommodating the actual circumstances of the recipients.

Furthermore, the selection and supervision of operating NGOs are also crucial. The Government should ensure that the operators are professional and credible, and that they can provide the recipients with unpaid work opportunities of guaranteed quality. At the same time, an effective supervision mechanism should be established to conduct regular evaluations and adjustments of the work of the operators to ensure that the objectives of the programme can be achieved smoothly.

The unemployment rate in Hong Kong has remained at a low level for a long time, and it is not difficult for recipients to find jobs as long as they possess suitable skills. The SWD has therefore been endeavouring to assist able-bodied unemployed CSSA recipients in rejoining the workplace. However, some recipients are still unmotivated to join the workforce, mainly due to a lack of subjective willingness.

Therefore, at the initial stage of the promotion of the Scheme, it cannot be ruled out that some recipients may show resistance and defiance to unpaid work. At the initial stage of implementation, the SWD needs strengthen communication and publicity with various sectors of the community, and respond to concerns and queries in a timely manner. In the course of implementation, the SWD should pay due attention to the actual needs and feedback of the recipients and make timely adjustments to the programme, so as to genuinely serve the purpose of teaching people how to fish. It is expected that the Government can adopt a pragmatic attitude and work in a meticulous manner, so that the programme can really assist able-bodied unemployed CSSA recipients in finding a new direction and hope in their lives.

● Tiffany