Media

“From Compensation to Rehabilitation – A Social Review of the Employees’ Compensation Insurance System in Hong Kong” research findings release

10 Dec 2015

In Hong Kong, about 200 fatal and 55,000 to 60,000 non-fatal cases resulting from work-related accidents and diseases have been recorded each year. Occupational rehabilitation with an emphasis on early and comprehensive intervention immediately after injuries has demonstrated to be the international best practice in disability management post occupational injuries. The practice, however, has not been widely adopted in Hong Kong. To have an understanding of the underlying reasons, the Department of Social Work and Social Administration of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) has conducted a consultancy project jointly with the Employees’ Compensation Insurance Residual Scheme Bureau (ECIRSB) to review the Employees’ Compensation system for local workers. A press conference will be held on December 14 (Monday) to release the latest research findings.

HKU Social Work and Social Administration Professor Paul Yip Siu-fai will discuss issues related to the Employees’ Compensation (EC) system in Hong Kong and make recommendations for building a workers-centred system in the future. A model of good practice in Hong Kong, the Multidisciplinary Orthopedics Rehabilitation Empowerment (MORE) programme, initiated by the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has demonstrated great success in facilitating early and safe return-to-work for injured workers. Dr. Law Sheung Wai, Clinical Associate Professor (honorary) of CUHK, will give an account of the programme. A worker who suffered from workplace injury will share his story of recovery.

The press conference aims to promote public awareness of the social and psychological impact of work-related injuries and to call for collaborative efforts from all stakeholders for the health and well-being of employees in Hong Kong.

Details of the press conference are as follows:
Date: December 14, 2015 (Monday)
Time: 11 am (Media registration begins at 10:30 am).
Venue: Studio 2, 2/F, HKJC Building for Interdisciplinary Research, 5 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, HK
Language: Cantonese (English is available for Q&A session).

Speakers (In alphabetical order):
Dr Law Sheung Wai
Clinical Associate Professor (honorary), Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology
The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Professor Paul Yip Siu-fai
Professor, Department of Social Work and Social Administration
The University of Hong Kong

Program:
11:00 – 11:25 Professor Paul Yip releases the latest research findings of a social review of the EC system in Hong Kong
11:25 – 11:35 A worker tells his road to recovery after suffering from work-related injuries
11:35 – 11:55 Dr. Law Sheung-wai shares the success story of the MORE programme
11:55 – 12:15 Q&A session

For media enquiries, please call Ms Esther Lee at (Tel) 2831 5232, or send email to csrp@hku.hk.