Imported labour | Labour Department approves 16,000 applications in 3 years, covering 102,000 workers — 965 complaints received | HK01
Since the government launched the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS) in September 2023, 16,000 applications had been approved as of February this year, covering around 102,000 imported workers. The Labour Department received 965 complaints over the same period, 398 of them concerning imported workers' employment rights or work arrangements. Over three years the department issued 78 warning letters to employers suspected of breaching regulations, and 29 violation cases resulted in convictions after prosecution.
48,000 approved workers already employed in Hong Kong; over 20,000 earn above HK$18,000
According to the Labour and Welfare Bureau's paper to the LegCo Finance Committee, as of February the Labour Department had received over 24,000 imported-worker applications, approving 16,000 — covering about 102,000 workers — with 48,000 currently employed in Hong Kong. In the same period, 91 applications covering 426 workers were rejected.
Most approved workers earn HK$14,000–16,000 per month (43,000 workers); 19,000 earn HK$16,000–18,000; and over 20,000 earn above HK$18,000.
398 complaints on employment rights or work arrangements; 78 warning letters
As of February, the Labour Department had received 965 ESLS-related complaints, 398 involving imported workers' employment rights or work arrangements. Inspections of workers' residences over the past three years uncovered 29 cases suspected of falling below the standards set out in the Standard Employment Contract schedule. Over the same period, 78 warning letters were issued to employers suspected of violations, and 29 cases ended in convictions.
Separately, since September 2025, employers applying to import waiters and junior cooks must attend a Labour Department job fair once a week during the local recruitment period. As of February, 202 employers had participated, offering 2,396 jobs; 179 local jobseekers were hired, 9 accepted, and the remaining 170 declined — citing working hours below expectations, dissatisfaction with the job nature, or having found other work.
Original article: https://www.hk01.com/article/60340586?utm_source=01articlecopy&utm_medium=referral