Two youth employment resource centres will be formed in the fourth quarter offering one-stop career counselling, self-enhancement and training services, plus support for self-employment, to people aged 15 to 29.

Speaking at the Corporate Social Responsibility Hong Kong Conference 2007 luncheon today, Secretary for Labour & Welfare Matthew Cheung urged firms to support family-friendly employment practices to foster harmonious labour relations, and to employ young people and the disabled.

Noting cordial labour relations are vital to building a harmonious community, Mr Cheung said people are becoming more familiar with the concept of "family-friendly" culture.

"The Labour Department has all along been playing the role of a propeller, and has been actively promoting family-friendly employment practices through exhibitions, seminars and experience-sharing sessions," he said.

"Such practices relieve employees from stress and help them concentrate on work and in turn boost team spirit and increase work productivity."

On helping youngsters who struggle to find a job due to lax experience, Mr Cheung said the Youth Pre-employment Training Programme and the Youth Work Experience & Training Scheme are highly regarded by the International Labour Organisation, with more than 80,000 youngsters trained and more than 50,000 job placements made.