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 that no quotas will be approved this round — the first time since the scheme launched in July last year.
Sun said the Development Bureau has always taken local-employment-first as its policy principle, with the scheme serving as a supplementary measure to help meet the construction industry's overall demand for technicians and skilled workers. The scheme generally operates on quarterly applications; the bureau examines whether applicants first conducted local recruitment as required and failed to fill the positions, and whether the project genuinely needs imported labour — considering the project's progress, its needs for each trade and the manpower situation — before deciding whether to grant quotas.
Sun said the government will continue monitoring the implementation of the labour importation schemes and review them in due course.
FTU president and LegCo member Wong Kwok welcomed the government halting construction-sector importation, saying it helps protect local workers' employment priority. The FTU noted that beyond construction, employment in catering and retail has also weakened recently; the unions concerned have consistently demanded the government uphold local-employment-first and review the various labour and talent importation policies beyond construction to protect local workers' rights.
Unfair treatment of imported workers referred to enforcement
Separately, a construction union said it had received reports from multiple imported workers about unfair treatment. Sun stressed the government takes imported workers' employment rights very seriously — imported workers are protected by Hong Kong labour law exactly as local workers are. Undersecretary Ho Kai-ming has been tasked to meet union representatives immediately together with the Security Bureau, the Development Bureau, the police and the Labour Department, referring suspected illegal cases to law enforcement, and an inter-departmental task force will follow up.
Sun said imported workers who suspect their employment rights have been infringed should report to the Labour Department immediately (tel: 2150 6363; email: sld-hq@labour.gov.hk).
Original article: https://www.hk01.com/article/1055287?utm_source=01articlecopy&utm_medium=referral