10 September 2015, Macau

CEM and Macau Special Olympics (MSO) have been jointly organizing the “CEM Brightening Stars” internship program since 2010. The program is aimed to improve the work abilities of mentally handicapped persons, explore their employment opportunities and promote a positive attitude and support towards their work abilities among the public, thus encouraging more employers to hire them. A total of 33 trainees have completed the program so far. Moreover, two trainees have been working at CEM after the internship program.

The program for this year will last for three months. Totaleight trainees will work at CEM Procurement and Logistics Department, Information Systems Department, Customer Services Department, Power and Networks Dispatch Department, Network Planning, Design & Construction Department, Safety, Health, Environment & Quality Office and Communications & Public Affairs Office. The program enables trainees to develop social and working skills in an actual working environment, so as to pave the way for their job opportunities in the future.

A launching ceremony for the program kicked off in CEM Building today at 3:30pm. Guests of Honor included Lin Danhong, representative of the Social Work Department of Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Macau SAR, José Pereira Coutinho, member of the Macao SAR Legislative Assembly, Lau Wai Meng, Deputy Director of Labour Affairs Bureau, Chow Pui Leng, Director of Centre of Psycho Pedagogical Support & Special Education of Education and Youth Affairs Bureau, Lok Lai Wun, representative of Social Welfare Bureau, Vong Kok Seng and Lei Chi Fong, President and Vice-President of CEM Customer Liaison Committee, members of the Commission for Rehabilitation Affairs, Ada Lo Chairlady of MSO as well as Hetzer Siu Yu Hong, MSO National Director and Benjamin Yue, Principal Advisor to CEM Executive Committee, etc. Benjamin Yue said in his speech that the internship program launched in the past five years had proved that persons with intellectual disabilities also have potential and capability and they should enjoy equal rights and freedom to pursue an enriching life and make contributions to society. He added that mentally handicapped persons encounter more obstacles and challenges in their lives, but as long as they are offered the opportunities, they can give a full play to their potential. He also thanked MSO for its cooperation with CEM in organizing this program to help the mentally-disabled boost their competence and enjoy more job opportunities, as well as improve the public’s understanding of the mentally-disabled.

Ada Lo said that nearly 90% of the 33 trainees that completed the internship program over the past five sessions have joined the job market or worked under an assisted working environment to contribute to the society. The internship programs have aroused public awareness of and recognition for the working ability of the mentally disabled, and the programs’ contribution to improving the employment of the mentally disabled has been widely realized by the public. With the implementation of minimum wage and changing of the economic environment, the job opportunities of the mentally disabled in operational positions are expected to take a blow in the future. The internship programs have provided a platform for the mentally disabled to keep upgrading themselves in order to rise up to the challenges posed by the changing environment. She thanked CEM for providing these precious internship positions over these years, and thanked CEM’s staff for their tolerance and support. She said that the programs are of great significance because they could improve the work performance and image of the mentally disabled. She hope that through the programs more enterprises will be encouraged to follow CEM’s example in supporting the employment of mentally disabled.

CEM has been fulfilling corporate social responsibility. Aside from offering an internship program for persons with intellectual disabilities, it also recruits mentally-handicapped people referred by MSO for vehicle cleaning services. CEM is highly concerned about the needs of minority groups. By cooperating with different social service organizations, it utilizes corporate resources to provide help for the needy, offering free safety checks and rewiring of electrical installations to elder citizens living alone, underprivileged families and citizens with special needs. Last year CEM launched a new initiative to install special flashlight doorbells for deaf people. Established in 2004, CEM Ambassadors Team has participated in a lot of charity activities to provide assistance and care to people in need.