Funding the Employees Retraining Board

87.    Over the years, the Employees Retraining Board (ERB) has strived to improve the employability of local workers.  Through a variety of courses under the Manpower Development Scheme, the ERB offers placement-tied courses for the unemployed and job seekers, and courses which assist employees to enhance their skills, making it easier for them to move up the job ladder in various trades.  In 2013-14, the ERB will offer 130 000 training places.  Resources have also been reserved to provide an additional 40 000 places to meet the demand from training providers for increasing or redeploying places.

88.    Levy on employers of foreign domestic helpers is the major financial source of the ERB.  In his Policy Address, the Chief Executive announced the abolition of the levy.  We have to provide sustained and stable financial support for the ERB so that it can continue to enhance the productivity of local workers.  I propose to inject $15 billion into the ERB to provide it with long-term support.