監製：Cho Kin Yam
Tung Wah Group of Hospitals' very first social enterprise restaurant is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. From its experimental beginnings to trial runs, opening, and expansion, the journey has shown the public that social enterprises can succeed not just with their reputation, but with real capability. Their bakery workshop, restaurant, and bakery employ over 60% staff with disabilities. Here, employees not only showcase their talents, but also enjoy every moment at work.
Located in the Yuen Long Industrial Area, an industry-leading large laundry company collaborates with a social welfare organization to transform logistical work into opportunities for people with disabilities to showcase their strengths. This program not only addresses manpower needs and enhances service quality but also brings dignity and a sense of achievement to the employees.
Among them, the senior employee, Ho Gor, has grown from an apprentice into a trusted backbone of the factory since joining in his twenties. Department manager, Yuk Jie, patiently guides and assists disabled employees in learning and growing at work. The laundry company firmly believes that receiving the "Inclusive Buddy Award" is thanks to the support and inclusiveness of all colleagues. It is this culture that enables Ho Gor and many logistical staff to find their self-worth.
On the other hand, in Hong Kong's tech industry, software testing positions are highly repetitive and require technical knowledge, involving repeated checks of code and interfaces. A local tech company collaborates with a social enterprise to offer job opportunities to youths on the autism spectrum, discovering that their traits—high focus and perseverance—are exactly the advantages needed for this position. When these traits are transformed into professional skills, the possibilities in the workplace far exceed expectations.
Both companies prove that opening up to provide opportunities yields much more than anticipated.
Tung Wah Group of Hospitals' very first social enterprise restaurant is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. From its experimental beginnings to trial runs, opening, and expansion, the journey has shown the public that social enterprises can succeed not just with their reputation, but with real capability. Their bakery workshop, restaurant, and bakery employ over 60% staff with disabilities. Here, employees not only showcase their talents, but also enjoy every moment at work.
Two large local enterprises providing public services have been actively hiring individuals with disabilities in recent years, striving to create an inclusive workplace environment.
A long-established bus company offers job positions for people with disabilities in various departments. For example, the catering service and gardening job are primarily managed by employess with mild intellectual disabilities, while deaf employees can also be seen in the lost and found and cash handling teams. The bus company has collaborated closely with social enterprises and special training schools over the years to create and provide diverse job opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
The Hong Chi Association, a social welfare organization that has been providing various vocational training programs for individuals with mild intellectual disabilities for fifty years, has recently collaborated with the bus company in various forms, becoming an important driving force in employment for people with disabilities.
The gas company, established for over 160 years, has extensive experience in employing individuals with disabilities, including several wheelchair users in its customer service department. Many facilities in the gas company's headquarters have been thoughtfully designed to provide an accessible working environment for wheelchair users.
