HK01: Will imported-labour policy be adjusted? John Lee: second-quarter shop leasing up 30%, good for job-seeking
The Census and Statistics Department earlier announced the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for May–July rose to 3.7% from the previous period's 3.5%. Speaking to reporters after a Kwun Tong district visit today (23rd), Chief Executive John Lee was asked whether catering and retail import policies would be adjusted, and his view on Executive Council member Tommy Cheung's claim that importing workers had made employees "happier". Lee pointed to second-quarter shop leasing figures up 30%, over half in catering — which he believes signals favourable conditions for job-seekers in certain sectors.
Lee: unemployment up 0.2%, but overall economy positive
Lee said unemployment rose 0.2 percentage points while the overall economy remains positive, forecasting 2–3% growth this year — with some industries doing better than others. Overall wages are trending upward, with the median wage up 6.8%; consumption has stabilised with slight growth; and second-quarter leasing rose 30%, more than half in catering, suggesting favourable job-seeking conditions in certain sectors.
He said Hong Kong has flexibility, acknowledging workers need time to find jobs, while "illegal workers" are unacceptable and any abuse of the mechanism must be strictly controlled.
He also noted several sectors saw falling unemployment, stressing that Hong Kong is going through economic transformation: as the environment shifts, workers changing jobs need time, and new skill requirements may apply — the government will support them strongly through retraining programmes.
Lee: transformation plus technology has success stories
Lee cited media reports of major successes — roast-meat and catering businesses expanding and revenue growing — noting they respond to each district's demands rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, varying menus and using app combinations. Local restaurants' adoption of technology is also rising — for example, some sushi chains adding tech on demand.
Sun: local recruitment at job centres mandatory from next month
Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun said the ESLS puts local workers first — applications are only processed after four weeks of fruitless local recruitment. Measures keep improving, including limiting employers to one application every six months. Not every catering trade has sufficient labour supply — some jobs go chronically unfilled, such as dishwashing. Given public attention on waiters and junior cooks, from next month the four-week local recruitment must include on-site sessions at the department's job centres.
Original article: https://www.hk01.com/article/60269378?utm_source=01articlecopy&utm_medium=referral