Affiliations: Vice President, Academic, Hong Kong College of
Technology, Hong Kong. Director, Hong Kong Workers' Health Centre, Hong
Kong
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Kan Kam Chan, PhD, Room 206, 14
Princess Road, Homantin, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Tel.: +852 22705642; Fax: +852
27153398; E-mail: ytlamb@nevigator.com
Abstract: The objective of this paper is to compare social policy on
occupational rehabilitation services in two mega industrial cities in southern
China: Hong Kong and Guangzhou. Comparative policy study was employed as the
research and analytical method in this paper. Aim, finance, target, coverage,
organization and administration, service delivery and provision of the
occupational rehabilitation policy and its linkages with industrial injury
compensation system and re-employment policy in the two cities were critically
reviewed and compared. The results of the study reflect that the Guangzhou
policy is more aggressive and more tailor-made to the specific needs of
occupational rehabilitation compared to the Hong Kong policy, whereas
occupational rehabilitation in Hong Kong has long been developed and knowledge
and skills in the occupational rehabilitation service are more mature and
fruitful. Based on the research findings, it is concluded that through
experience sharing and exchange, there will be more mutual understanding
regarding the system, practice, success, faults and limitations in the two
cities, as well as awareness of alternative courses of action. These will help
in the better development of occupational rehabilitation services with the aims
to safeguard the rights and wellbeing of workers in both cities.
Keywords: Comparative policy study, occupational rehabilitation policy in China and Hong Kong
