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| The biggest quota of 12,000 will be allotted for the construction industry |
Chief Executive John Lee said earlier today, Tuesday, that the government’s plans for importing workers to ease shortages in certain sectors will be unveiled soon.
Speaking
to reporters before this morning’s Executive Council meeting, CE Lee said the importation
of labour is crucial to Hong Kong’s economic development and competitiveness.
But he assured that this is a temporary measure and that the government will only allow the importation of workers in sectors where there are manpower shortages, and they will receive no less than what local employees are paid on average.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE! |
The CE stressed that the government will continue protecting the job security of local workers, and will nurture and attract local talents by stepping up vocational training and improving the working environment.
Yesterday, the government announced plans to allow the hiring of up to 12,000 foreign workers for the construction sector and 8,000 for transport, while the airport will be given permission to import up to 6,000 staff.
This is on top of the 3,000 imported caregivers who should start joining the local workforce anytime soon.
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| EXTENDED TO JUNE 30!! |
Meanwhile, the hotel and catering industry is also pushing for an industry-specific labour importation scheme to fill the more than 9,000 vacancies in their sector, including those for room attendants, cleaners, waiters, chefs and front desk staff.
For the construction industry, priority will be given to those who will be hired for key infrastructure projects like the railway.
Those aiming to be hired from abroad as drivers will be required to take lessons on such topics as driving courtesy, and pass the Hong Kong driving test before being allowed to fill the transport quota.
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| BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS NOW! PRESS FOR DETAILS |
According to the Transport Department it will soon set up an express lane for would-be imported drivers to facilitate their enrolment for driving lessons and test.
The CE said that before the government decided to push through with the labour importation project, the views of representatives of different sectors were sought.
"In the course of making all these assessments, the policy bureaux and the responsible officials have been talking and listening to views by representatives of different sectors," he said.
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| BASAHIN DITO |
Meanwhile Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun said the government will be updating the Labour Advisory Board every six months on the progress of the scheme, and will continue seeking its views and suggestions.
Sun also said the relaxation of restrictions on foreign hiring in 26 job categories will last for only two years.
He also said that employers will be required to prove that no local workers can be hired to fill the posts offered to imported workers.
“So, it is not for sure that their applications will be processed. What we are allowing them now is, for these 26 categories of jobs, at least they can make an application, but the prerequisite is they have to prove there is a local shortage, said Sun.
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| PADALA NA! |
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