Hong Kong's Labour Importation Schemes for the transport and construction sectors are now open for applications

閱讀中文版本

The total quota for the two sector-specific labour importation schemes is 20,000.

To cope with the manpower demand of the transport sector and the construction industry, the HKSAR government has earlier announced the introduction of sector-specific labour importation schemes, which are now open for applications. According to the Schemes, the total quota for the two sector-specific labour importation schemes is 20,000.

Here are the application details for employers to take note of.

Aviation industry

Quota ceiling:

• 6,300

The Scheme covers 10 frontline non-supervisory airport job types:

1. Passenger services officer
2. Ramp services agent
3. Cabin worker
4. Aircraft maintenance mechanic/technician
5. Tractor driver
6. Warehouse operator/cargo handler
7. Equipment/loader operator
8. Customer services agent
9. Aircraft tug driver
10. Maintenance technician

Eligibility for application:

Applicants shall be registered business entities which possess a contract/ license/ franchise/ passenger handling permit with Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) to operate its business at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).

Applicants shall prove that, before applying for imported worker under the Scheme, they have made sufficient efforts in recruiting local workers within four months preceding their applications, but have not been able to recruit sufficient local workers for the specified job type(s).

Applicants have to pay the AAHK HK$400 per month for each worker imported to subsidise transport costs of the local frontline staff responsible for airport operation.

Application process:

The first round of application is from 9:00a.m. on 17 July 2023 to 5:00p.m. on 30 July 2023. Applicants can submit the completed application form together with the required documents during the period to the Airport Operations and Facilities Planning Department of AAHK.

The approval process will be completed within one month from the date of receipt of applications by the AAHK.

The Scheme will accept subsequent applications from eligible applicants within a specified application period of two weeks about once every six months.

The application forms and scheme details are available on the webpage of the Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB).

Public light bus (PLB)/coach trade

Quota ceiling:

• 1,700

The Scheme covers the following roles:

1. Public light bus drivers
2. Coach drivers

Eligibility for application:

Applicants shall be a holder of the relevant Passenger Service Licence issued by the Commissioner for Transport for the operation of public light bus or public bus services.

Applicants shall have conducted local recruitment through specified channel(s) for a continuous period of 14 calendar days in four months preceding the submission of application, by a wage not lower than the median monthly wage as compiled by the Government.

Applicants shall maintain a minimum designated ratio of local to imported worker at 2:1 (i.e. import one public light bus or coach driver only for every two full-time local employees employed, regardless of position).

Application process:

The Scheme will open for applications in tranches. The first tranche of the Scheme will accept applications from 17 July 2023 to 7 August 2023.

Eligible PSL holders shall submit the duly completed application form together with relevant supporting documents to the Secretariat for the Labour Importation Scheme, Transport Department (TD) by post or in person (Application submitted via e-mail or fax are not accepted).

The approval process will be completed within one to two months from the date of receipt of applications by the TD.

Notification letter will be issued to the successful applicants. The applicants shall arrange each of the prospective imported labours to apply to the Immigration Department for visas/entry permits within the designated period or the quota will be cancelled.

The application forms and scheme details are available on the webpage of the TD.

Construction sector

Quota ceiling:

• 12,000

The Scheme covers the following roles:

1. Skilled and semi-skilled construction workers
2. Technicians and site supervisory personnel

*The imported labour must fall under the eligible trades/disciplines of the Construction Sector Scheme.

Eligibility for application:

Public sector construction works contracts with a contract value of no less than HK$1bn will be accorded priority.

Applicants have to conduct local recruitment no more than four months preceding the submission of applications for importation quotas and according to the required employment terms and at a salary not lower than the prevailing median wages. Applications should only be submitted after a confirmation is made through local recruitment that sufficient local manpower cannot be so employed.

Applicants are required to provide the imported labour residing in Hong Kong with accommodation at designated locations. Apart from providing on-site accommodation, the applicant can also rent the centralised quarter which is converted from the community isolation facility at Tam Mei. The centralised quarter is tentatively scheduled for commissioning in October and the operation arrangements will be announced separately. Applicants are allowed to arrange appropriate accommodation in the private market for the imported labourers who are approved to arrive in Hong Kong before October as an interim measure.

Upon its launch, the Construction Sector Scheme will handle all quotas for importing construction labour. The Supplementary Labour Scheme implemented by the Labour Department will no longer accept applications for importation of labour for the construction sector.

Application process:

The first application period lasts from 17 July 2023 to 16 August 2023. Applicants shall submit the completed forms together with the required documents in person or by post to the Development Bureau (DEVB).

The application results will be issued to applicants within two months from the closing date of application.

Subsequent applications will be accepted on a quarterly basis (i.e. the second application period will be from 1 to 31 October 2023 and subsequent applications will be accepted each January, April, July and October).

The application forms and scheme details are available on the webpage of the DEVB.

Lead image / Shutterstock