Labour import scheme needs to continue: Chris Sun
Chris Sun rejected a fresh call from trade unionist Bill Tang to suspend the importation of catering workers. File photo: RTHK
Labour Minister Chris Sun on Sunday rejected fresh calls to suspend the importation of workers, saying there was an acute labour shortage in many sectors.
This came after trade unionist lawmaker Bill Tang said imported labour for the catering sector should be suspended as many locals were concerned about their jobs.
Speaking on a TVB programme, Sun said the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme already ensured that locals got priority, as employers can only import workers if they are unable to hire a local after a four-week recruitment exercise.
The minister told reporters the government had received more than a hundred complaints of employers sacking locals after hiring imported labour but that, so far, initial evidence suggested there had been just two such cases.
"Because we're talking about initial evidence, we cannot implement executive sanctions right away. We need to give the employers time to explain their case to us," Sun said.
"But given the evidence, we have put them on our watch list, which means their ongoing import applications have been suspended."
Sun said if the violations are substantiated, the authorities will impose sanctions "without hesitation".
That means all import applications for the employer concerned will be withdrawn and the employer won't be able to apply to import workers for two years.
Meanwhile, the minister said in another related case, an initial probe had found that an employer had refused to hire a local during the four-week recruitment period.
Sun said the authorities are now waiting for the employer's reply.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- South China Morning Post
Hongkongers warned of legal liabilities ahead of ChatGPT-style AI tool launch
Using artificial intelligence is a double-edged sword, and users must accept full responsibility if they break the law, according to Hong Kong's technology minister, ahead of the release of a locally developed tool powered by mainland China's DeepSeek for free public use this year. Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong issued the warning on Saturday in response to an incident in which a University of Hong Kong (HKU) law student allegedly used AI tools to create illicit pornographic images of female classmates based on publicly available photos and screenshots from social media. The university issued a warning letter and is reviewing the case, while Hong Kong's privacy watchdog has initiated a criminal investigation. The city's leader, John Lee Ka-chiu, has also pledged to explore international regulations and 'best practices' for AI governance. 'The use of AI is a double-edged sword as it will prompt many issues while providing convenience to the public and a boost to the economy. So the key is to have proper guidance and a comprehensive legal framework,' Sun told a radio programme. 'AI is just a tool. Eventually, the users have to be responsible for its application and bear the relevant liability.' Sun added that users should be aware of their legal responsibilities when using AI as Hong Kong prepares for the free public launch of 'HK Chat' in the second half of the year.
RTHK
a day ago
- RTHK
Push for more HK inclusion in China IOMed quota
Push for more HK inclusion in China IOMed quota Paul Lam says the SAR administration will seek support from the central government for Hong Kong talent to be included in China's quota of mediators. File photo: RTHK Secretary for Justice Paul Lam said on Saturday he hopes more Hong Kong talent can play arbitration roles once the International Organisation of Mediation (IOMed) becomes fully operational as the city will do well in handling civil and commercial disputes. Speaking on a radio programme, he said mediator quotas have been set for each participating nation and that the government will push for Hong Kong talent to be appointed as part of the allocation for China. There will be two lists for mediators, Lam added, one for handling disputes between countries and the other for dealing with civil and commercial disputes. "It would be difficult for us to handle disputes between countries, but Hong Kong is good at the latter," he said. "We have talent in the field, so we [the government] will seek support from our nation to pick people from Hong Kong to be appointed into the list," he said. "Our nation has a lot of outstanding talent in mediation, not just Hongkongers, but at least we have to fight for our opportunities." Lam said 33 nations have signed up to join IOMed and that each member can nominate and pick mediators depending on the nature of the case. Hong Kong's winning the right to host IOMed's headquarters shows respect for the city's capability to be a centre for international services, he added, and that member nations recognise the strengths of the SAR. Lam also said renovation work at the old Wan Chai police station, which is to be the site of the headquarters for IOMed, is in the finishing stages and that its preparatory office will take over the venue soon. Meanwhile, he added, lot of explanation work has to be done to make clear Hong Kong's situation to the world, despite the city being highly competitive globally. When asked about his recent trip to the Netherlands, France and Italy to attract more European law institutions to set up offices in the SAR, Lam said progress had been made but that more effort was needed. He added that a lot of these organisations had been focused on development in western European countries in the past but were currently seeking recognition from the Asia-Pacific in order to follow the global trend.
RTHK
a day ago
- RTHK
Push for more HK inclusion in China IOMed quota
Push for more HK inclusion in China IOMed quota Paul Lam says the SAR administration will seek support from the central government for Hong Kong talent to be included in China's quota of mediators. File photo: RTHK Secretary for Justice Paul Lam said on Saturday he hopes more Hong Kong talent can play arbitration roles once the International Organisation of Mediation (IOMed) becomes fully operational as the city will do well in handling civil and commercial disputes. Speaking on a radio programme, he said mediator quotas have been set for each participating nation and that the government will push for Hong Kong talent to be appointed as part of the allocation for China. There will be two lists for mediators, Lam added, one for handling disputes between countries and the other for dealing with civil and commercial disputes. "It would be difficult for us to handle disputes between countries, but Hong Kong is good at the latter," he said. "We have talent in the field, so we [the government] will seek support from our nation to pick people from Hong Kong to be appointed into the list," he said. "Our nation has a lot of outstanding talent in mediation, not just Hongkongers, but at least we have to fight for our opportunities." Lam said 33 nations have signed up to join IOMed and that each member can nominate and pick mediators depending on the nature of the case. Hong Kong's winning the right to host IOMed's headquarters shows respect for the city's capability to be a centre for international services, he added, and that member nations recognise the strengths of the SAR. Lam also said renovation work at the old Wan Chai police station, which is to be the site of the headquarters for IOMed, is in the finishing stages and that its preparatory office will take over the venue soon. Meanwhile, he added, lot of explanation work has to be done to make clear Hong Kong's situation to the world, despite the city being highly competitive globally. When asked about his recent trip to the Netherlands, France and Italy to attract more European law institutions to set up offices in the SAR, Lam said progress had been made but that more effort was needed. He added that a lot of these organisations had been focused on development in western European countries in the past but were currently seeking recognition from the Asia-Pacific in order to follow the global trend.
