The IWEC Foundation and other partnering organizations supported the Hong Kong Economic Development Agency to Host a luncheon featuring Dr. Law Chikwong, Secretary for Labour and Welfare in Hong Kong. Many IWEC colleagues attended along with business owners from around the city.
Hong Kong (HKSAR) – The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, commenced his visit program in New York on March 13 (New York time) with his delegation.
In the morning, Dr Law first called on the Deputy Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in New York, Dr Zhao Yumin, to update him on the recent developments in Hong Kong. He also met with the Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity of New York City, Mr Matthew Klein, and exchanged views on policies to alleviate poverty.
Dr Law noted that the office analyses poverty relief policies and develops new intervention measures covering enhancement of child care services and after-school care programmes, as well as social inclusion for ethnic minorities to support the workforce including women. He was also briefed on the initiative on data sharing to better co-ordinate the provision of welfare services to clients and their families.
He then addressed a luncheon jointly organised by the Hong Kong Association of New York, Asian Women in Business and the International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge Foundation.
Speaking on Hong Kong’s experience in women’s empowerment, he pointed out that Hong Kong women are playing an increasingly important role in various professions. Noting that Hong Kong is facing the challenge of a rapidly ageing population, Dr Law said initiatives are being taken by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government to enable women to make a choice for work and help further unleash the potential of women in the labour force.