Hong Kong plans to recruit 27000 overseas skilled workforce in 2023. Apply now!

Highlights: Foreign skilled workers to be recruited in 2023 by Hong Kong

• Hong Kong plans to change entry rules to recruit 27,000 foreign workers in various industries.
• The government recognizes the importance of the workforce and is concerned about the city's competitiveness.
• The new plan includes recruitment quotas for 12,000 foreigners in construction and up to 6,300 in aviation industries.
• The city expects to receive job applications starting in July.
• Hong Kong's economists expecting an increment in the GDP rate to 4.6% this year.

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Hong Kong to ease entry rules for foreign workers to recruit manpower shortage

Hong Kong will introduce new rules for entry targeting the shortage of workers in the city, particularly in sectors such as construction and aviation. The government's plan includes easing entry rules to attract approximately 27,000 foreign workers. These changes are made in response to concerns raised by officials about the labour crunch on the city's economy and competitiveness.

Importance of Labour and Labour shortage

Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun gave importance to the labour force as the key role of economic development in Hong Kong. Chief Executive John Lee had earlier highlighted the risks caused by the labour shortage.

Economists have identified the factors as the causes of the labour shortage in Hong Kong. These factors include a shrinking local workforce and the city's immigration policies. As pandemic restrictions eased and business activity increased, therefore industries became more noticeable, and the need for additional workers increased.

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Recruitment quotas

To address the labour shortage, the government's plan includes recruitment quotas for foreign workers. The construction sector, in particular, will see quotas for up to 12,000 workers, according to Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn. 

Additionally, the aviation industry recruitment will be up to 6,300 labourers. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung mentioned the shortage of "front line airport staff" and its cause on the city's aviation hub.

Hong Kong's aviation industry has been continuously affected by the labour shortage. Even before the pandemic, the city's airport operated with 32% fewer workers in staff compared to pre-pandemic. 

The lack of workers has hampered operations such as passenger check-in, baggage handling, and catering. Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd, the flagship carrier, has also struggled with long-term staff shortages following continuous job cuts and changes in work conditions during the pandemic.

Application process

The government expects to receive more job applications for the construction and transportation sectors in July. The processing of these applications may take approximately two months. 

The plan covers a total of 26 sectors, and applications for jobs in these sectors will follow. It is expected that the worker quotas will be fully used by next year. With past precedent, many foreign workers are likely to be from mainland China.

Hong Kong's economy showed signs of fast growth in the first quarter. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg now predict a GDP growth rate of 4.6% for this year. The introduction of foreign workers through the eased entry rules is expected to contribute to economic growth and enhance the city's overall competitiveness.

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