2026-06-17
Imported labour | Hui Tak-sum: catering unemployment reflects structural change — new mechanism aids matching | HK01
The Labour Department has completed its review of the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme, implementing multiple refinements from today (16th), including a two-tier approval system and administrative sanctions extended from two to five years…
2026-06-17
Editorial: Importing labour is not for suppressing wages — local employment must be protected | Ming Pao
[Ming Pao editorial] The government has completed its ESLS review with multiple adjustments, including tighter ratios for catering front-of-house positions between imported workers and local full-time staff…
2026-06-16
Imported labour | Housing-fee deduction cap relaxed to 20% of wages — catering industry fears it will dent workers' willingness to come | i-CABLE
[i-CABLE News] The Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme's updated requirements take effect today, tightening the local-to-imported worker ratio in catering to 3:1. Labour Department Commissioner Tak-sum Hui says the measures retain flexibility…
2026-06-16
Imported labour | Two-tier system targets catering for now — Labour chief: high unemployment reflects structural change, not imported workers | Sing Tao
Catering has long faced manpower strain. From today (16th), new measures under the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme tighten the imported-worker ratio for restaurants from 2:1 to 3:1…
2026-06-15
Imported labour tightened | Catering fears Chinese restaurants still can't hire — sector denies low pay is the cause | HK01
The Labour Department has completed its ESLS review, implementing multiple measures from tomorrow (16th): a two-tier approval system, Tier 2 ratios of 3:1, and administrative sanctions up to five years…
2026-06-15
Cheung Pui-kong urges government to suspend labour importation for industries or posts with high unemployment | RTHK
The Labour Department implements new ESLS arrangements from tomorrow, including a tighter local-to-imported worker ratio for the catering industry and stronger administrative sanctions against seriously non-compliant employers…
2026-06-15
Imported labour | Five refinements announced today — sources: two-tier approval, tougher penalties for non-compliant employers | hket
Sources say the imported-labour scheme will announce five major refinements today, including a two-tier approval system — trades in the second tier will face stricter requirements, with the local-to-imported ratio changing from 2:1 to 3:1…
2026-06-15
4,000 catering vacancies, only 12 locals took the jobs | Labour Department blames skills mismatch: imported workers enable skills exchange | HK01
The Labour Department has completed its ESLS review, implementing the two-tier approval system from tomorrow. Tier 2's local-to-imported ratio becomes 3:1 and the local recruitment period extends to six weeks…
2026-04-16
Imported labour | Labour Department approves 16,000 applications in 3 years, covering 102,000 workers — 965 complaints received | HK01
Since the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme launched in September 2023, 16,000 applications had been approved as of February this year, covering around 102,000 imported workers…
2025-10-17
HK01: Construction sector urges dynamic assessment of imported-labour demand | Development Bureau: latest quarterly quotas down nearly 700
With private construction volume falling in recent years and unemployment high in some construction trades, the Construction Industry Council suggests the government dynamically assess imported-labour demand using real-time data…
2025-10-17
HK01: Construction Industry Council boosts training places — allowances up to HK$19,000 | Union: many trades need no imported workers
Private construction volume has fallen in recent years and unemployment is high in some construction trades. The CIC has launched a one-year enhanced training support scheme…
2025-09-17
HK01 Policy Address 2025 | Waiter and junior-cook import ratios tightened; local recruitment extended to 6 weeks
With rising unemployment, attention has focused on imported labour's impact on the job market. Chief Executive John Lee's fourth Policy Address, delivered today (17th), does not suspend the importation scheme…
2025-09-15
Imported labour | Sun Dong: hiring imported workers saves employers no money — the law treats local and imported workers equally
A survey released today (15th) by the Retail, Commercial and Clothing Industries General Union found over 60% of respondents believe expanding labour importation affects job opportunities or income. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun responded that the policy ensures local workers have priority for employment…
2025-08-23
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 3.5%. Chief Executive John Lee, speaking after a Kwun Tong district visit today (23rd)…
2025-08-19
HK01: Imported labour — from next month, junior-cook and waiter applications require mandatory on-site local recruitment
The Census and Statistics Department announced that Hong Kong's unemployment rate for May–July rose to 3.7%, above market expectations of 3.5%, while underemployment held at 1.4%…
2025-08-19
HK01: Unemployment rises to 3.7% — highest since November 2022, with catering and retail posting clear increases
The Census and Statistics Department released the latest labour force figures for May–July today (19th): the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 3.7%, up 0.2 percentage points from the previous period…
2025-06-18
ESLS approves over 60,000 imported workers — applications now limited to once every six months
[Ming Pao] Since the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS) launched in September 2023, 8,935 applications covering more than 61,000 workers have been approved as of last month — over 41,000 of them (68%) in job categories previously barred from importation…
2025-06-18
HK01: Wong Kwok urges unemployment-based "red line" for imported labour — Chris Sun: one-size-fits-all inappropriate
The Census and Statistics Department announced yesterday (17th) that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for March–May rose to 3.5%, up 0.1 percentage points, with 135,800 unemployed…
2025-06-03
Frankly Speaking | Hong Kong needs more imported workers
By Lai Ngan. The government announced on 30 May optimisations to the General Employment Policy and the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals, allowing 8 designated technical trades…
2025-05-30
HK01: Government expands importation of technical talent — 8 trades including nurses, aircraft maintenance, electricians
A government spokesperson said that from the 30th of next month, a new channel will launch a "Technical Talent List", importing non-degree talent in 8 manpower-shortage trades, aged 18–40…
2024-10-19
Policy Address | John Lee: build the new medical school "as fast as we can" — overseas doctors to be recruited to raise doctor ratio
Chief Executive John Lee said he hopes the new medical school can be built "as fast as it can go". Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said at the Policy Address press conference on the 17th…
2024-10-19
Policy Address | Eric Chan: committee to align Hong Kong's development with national strategy — importing technicians to prevent industry shrinkage
Chief Secretary Eric Chan appeared on Commercial Radio's "PolITICAL Saturday". The new Policy Address proposes establishing a "Committee on Education, Technology and Talents"…
2024-09-17
John Lee: both local and imported workers protected under labour law — violations will be dealt with seriously
Chief Executive John Lee said the government is deeply concerned about the exploitation of imported workers and has set up a cross-departmental investigation team comprising the Labour Department, police and other enforcement agencies…
2024-09-07
Development Bureau approves no quotas in latest imported-labour round — a first since the scheme began in July last year
The latest (fifth) round accepted applications in July this year. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun said that after reviewing multiple factors, the Development Bureau decided not to approve any quotas this round…
2024-04-15
Imported labour | Second-round aviation scheme approves 2,982 quotas — ground staff and ramp services lead
The Transport and Logistics Bureau announced on the 11th that vetting of the second-round aviation labour importation scheme is complete, with 27 companies approved for a total of 2,982 quotas…
2024-04-15
Imported labour job list: 26 categories opened up — clerks, waiters, delivery workers and more
Latest imported-labour news! Chief Executive John Lee said the government plans limited importation of outside workers to address shortages across multiple local industries and trades…