Hong Kong labour chief defends imported labour schemes after unemployment rate rises
'I have noticed that recent comments have linked the unemployment situation in certain industries to imported labour. I must emphasise that the government's manpower policy has always prioritised local workers,' Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun said in a Chinese-language Facebook post on Tuesday.
Sun's statement comes after the city recorded higher unemployment and underemployment rates – a record high since early 2023.
Hong Kong's unemployment rate for the February-April period rose to 3.4 per cent, an increase of 0.2 percentage points compared with the January-March rate, according to the Census and Statistics Department's figures released on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the underemployment rate for the February-April period increased to 1.3 per cent, also a 0.2 percentage point rise compared with the January-March rate.
Sun suggested that local workers and unions file a report with the Labour Department should they suspect an employer 'has replaced local employees with imported workers.'
He added, 'I reiterate that employers cannot replace existing local employees with imported labour. If layoffs are necessary, employers should first reduce imported workers.'
Chau Siu-chung, a pro-establishment lawmaker for the labour sector, wrote on Facebook on Tuesday that sectors such as catering and construction, which allow imported workers, had experienced a 'significant rise' in unemployment rates.
Unemployment in both the construction and catering sectors from February to April has risen to 5.7 per cent, much higher than the general unemployment rate, he said, citing the government's data.
'On one hand, there is a large influx of foreign labour, on the other hand, more and more locals are becoming unemployed. This situation is concerning,' Chau said in the Chinese-language post.
He also wrote that some employers fired local employees soon after hiring imported workers.
The Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions (FTU), a pro-establishment political party, also said that sectors eligible for non-local hires had reported a significant increase in unemployment rates.
It urged the government to review various imported labour programmes, especially the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS), which permits non-local hires without quota limits.
Expanded schemes
Hong Kong expanded a series of imported labour schemes two years ago, citing a labour shortage.
In June 2023, the government increased the quota for non-local workers in the construction and transport industries and residential care homes.
In September 2023, the ESLS was launched. The scheme, which is set to end in September, allows Hong Kong employers to import workers for 26 types of jobs that were previously only open to local residents, such as cashiers, hair stylists, sales assistants, and waiters.
As of the end of March, the city has imported more than 54,000 non-local workers under ESLS. Among them, more than 8,900 non-local workers worked as waiters – the most popular job taken up by imported workers – followed by junior cooks, according to the Labour and Welfare Bureau.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
16 minutes ago
- South China Morning Post
Huawei's Ren Zhengfei, Changan Automobile's Zhu Huarong discuss state of China EV sector
According to his post on Chinese microblogging site Weibo , Changan chairman Zhu Huarong said he visited Ren, 80, at Huawei's headquarters in Shenzhen last Friday to discuss the state of development and competition in China's electric vehicle (EV) industry. While Zhu did not provide details of their discussion, he praised the 'wisdom' shared and 'passion' shown by Ren during the meeting. Zhu said he also met Huawei deputy chairman Eric Xu Zhijun and Richard Yu Chengdong , chairman of the company's consumer business group, in Shenzhen. The meeting reflects how Chinese industry leaders look to Ren for possible direction amid US President Donald Trump 's tariff strategy, which has disrupted global trade. Tariffs imposed by the US government have made exports to the country 'impossible' for Chinese EV manufacturers. Electric vehicles are being assembled on the production line of Changan Automobile in Chongqing. Photo: Xinhua
HKFP
5 hours ago
- HKFP
‘It is scary to be LGBTQ+ in Hong Kong': Over 10,700 submissions received for same-sex partnership bill consultation
A government proposal to recognise same-sex partnerships in Hong Kong has attracted over 10,700 written public submissions, ranging from support for the LGBTQ community to fears that the institution of heterosexual marriage is at stake. The Legislative Council (LegCo), which is vetting the bill, invited the public to submit their views on the framework last month. The less than one-week period for collecting submissions was the government's sole effort to engage the public on the proposal, despite having had two years – since the top court in 2023 ordered the creation of a framework recognising same-sex partnerships – to do so. Of the 10,775 written submissions, a significant number appeared to be identical templates shared by conservative groups, many of which were sent during the final days of the submission window. The submissions point out that the Basic Law defines marriage as being between a man and a woman, saying that the bill would shatter family values and encourage same-sex couples to adopt. LGBTQ activists and groups also mobilised supporters to submit their views. Jimmy Sham, the activist who took the case to court in 2018, created a petition allowing signatories to directly email their submissions. Sham told HKFP that his petition received 1,016 signatures. Most of the unique submissions came from those supporting the bill. Some said they identified as LGBTQ and spoke of their personal experience as a member of the minority community. All of the submissions received were shared on the LegCo website per the standard practice, except in cases where the writers requested privacy. HKFP highlights some of the submissions. 'I feel marginalised' One Hongkonger, Elise, said she works in the education sector and is unable to come out at the workplace. 'I am well aware that my seniors are homophobic or anti-gay. I am afraid of losing my job because of this, as I have heard of similar things happening before,' she wrote in Chinese. She said she currently has a stable partner, and to understand her rights in Hong Kong, she has attended talks related to insurance, inheritance, and medical matters. 'The time… and money I've spent on this has highlighted that I am different from heterosexual [people]. I feel marginalised… the system is unjust,' Elise added. She said passing the framework would give same-sex partners legal status, allowing them to reduce discrimination and misunderstanding in society. LGBTQ in the Christian community Blessed Ministry Community Church, an LGBTQ-friendly church, said it knew of churchgoers who encountered everyday problems because their partnerships were not legally recognised in Hong Kong. One person in a same-sex relationship was unable to visit their partner in hospital and was stopped from obtaining information because they were not recognised as a relative, the church said. In another case, one partner in a same-sex relationship passed away before writing a will, and the surviving partner was evicted by the landlord as they were not seen as a legal occupant, the church added. 'A registration system can significantly reduce unnecessary discrimination and administrative disputes… [so] same-sex couples can obtain a clear and firm legal status,' the church wrote in Chinese. 'What kids hear at school' A man surnamed Ng said that as a father of two, he was 'most worried about what kids hear at school.' 'Once, my son asked me, 'Can two fathers build a family too?' I was dumbfounded for half the day, not knowing how to respond,' Ng wrote in Chinese. '[I am] not excluding anybody, I just think kids first need to understand what a traditional family looks like. 'The bill says it will not affect the marriage institution, but after [same-sex partnerships] registrations are legally recognised, will this be added to children's textbooks?' Ng said. 'Upholding the rule of law' Law student Leung Hui-ling said that as an aspiring legal practitioner, it was important to her that the government comply with the Court of Final Appeal's ruling and continue upholding the rule of law. 'I am also eager to see our city keep… pace with changing societal views on marriage and provide long-awaited legal rights and protections for same-sex couples that allow Hong Kong to be a safe haven for all, including those with different sexual orientations,' Leung wrote. She added that the bill 'has its limits.' Providing rights related to medical decisions and posthumous affairs, the bill is 'unable to cover all the issues that a married couple would run into on a practical basis,' Leung wrote. She added that she hoped the bill could be expanded so all citizens are considered 'equal under the law.' 'Our motherland' A member of the public, who signed off as Ho Wai-chun, said they opposed the bill because 'our motherland does not accept same-sex marriage.' 'Although [Hong Kong is run under] 'one country, two systems,' this kind of major difference in family values will definitely obstruct the integration and people exchange between the two places,' Ho wrote in Chinese. 'This would absolutely be no good for Hong Kong's development.' Calling for Beijing to intervene One writer, surnamed Song, said they disagreed with Regina Ip, referring to the only lawmaker in the bills committee who supports the framework. Song said the bill 'clearly erodes on [China's] national policies and traditions' and that Beijing should issue an interpretation of the top court ruling, echoing calls from lawmaker Junius Ho. Junius Ho, known for his fiery statements against LGBTQ rights, said that Beijing should intervene and override the Court of Final Appeal's order for the city to recognise same-sex partnerships. 'Uneasy and scared' Chester Karissa Chan said she and her long-term same-sex partner have long felt 'injustices' in the system. 'What we fear most is that one of us might be hospitalised while the other is unable to visit or make decisions as a family member, or that issues might arise with our assets and inheritance arrangements,' Chan wrote in Chinese. 'We've lived together for many years, yet because of the 'lack of recognition' by the law we lose our protections,' she wrote. 'This makes us uneasy and scared, and this is how many same-sex couples feel.' 'Attracting gays' to Hong Kong A man surnamed Lam said that he accepts the freedom of others to choose their partners but asked: 'Please do not force me to accept same-sex relationships.' He said the framework would bring a 'heavy cost' to Hong Kong and destroy family values. 'Some lawmakers have said that this legislation can attract talent [to Hong Kong]. This view is even more terrifying… this legislation would only attract more gays,' he said in Chinese. 'This is not good for Hong Kong, nor is it good for the country.' 'Practical need' Ken To said he was 'a citizen who is concerned about diverse families.' He said his mother was bisexual and decided to separate from his father when he was 10. Now, his mother has a long-term same-sex partner. 'Early this year, my mother unfortunately got into a car accident and needed a high-risk surgery that involved making medical decisions,' he said in Chinese. '[Her] partner was not able to handle that for her.' 'It can be seen that there is a practical need for the rights offered by this bill,' he wrote. 'Reverse discrimination' Ng Mee-kam expressed her 'grave concern' about the bill, saying that the city should 'put on hold' the framework pending a 'society-wide discussion and consensus about our understanding and stance [on] same-sex marriage.' She urged the government to consider the 'possible implications' of passing a framework, 'especially in our society when the birth rate is incredibly low.' Authorities should also address concerns about 'reverse discrimination' and offer 'measures that can protect those who uphold the stance [on] traditional marriage.' 'Violation' of children's rights The Society for Truth and Light, a Christian organisation that has been accused of advocating conversion therapy, said that recognising same-sex partnerships could undermine the well-being of children. Without providing any evidence, the group claimed that some children raised by same-sex parents in other countries were depressed and frustrated at 'not being able to receive the love of a father or mother.' If the framework passes, it could open the possibility of same-sex couples adopting children, leading to more babies being born through sperm or egg donation and surrogacy. 'Same-sex adoption constitutes a serious deprivation and violation of the rights of children yet to be born,' the Society for Truth and Light wrote in Chinese. 'It is scary to be LGBTQ+ in Hong Kong' Hannah Kan, who identified as a Christian pansexual transgender woman, urged lawmakers to examine the bill's merits instead of using 'preconceived notions of what it means to be LGBTQ+.' 'It is scary to be LGBTQ+ in Hong Kong. It is doubly so when one of the identities is being transgender,' Kan wrote. She said her friend, who is a transgender lesbian, feels the need to hide because 'Hong Kong doesn't recognise… her identity or her sexuality to be a valid one, that it is not unlawful to discriminate [against] her.' Kan added: 'The lack of recognition is precisely a form of state-sponsored discrimination, which must stop if Hong Kong is to remain the Pearl of the Orient.' She also criticised the framework's limitation to recognising only partnerships that are already registered abroad. 'Meanwhile, heterosexual couples can simply marry in Hong Kong,' Kan wrote. 'This is inequitable.' 'No reason to oppose this' Henry Wong said he was a married Catholic who supported recognising same-sex partnerships. 'As someone who already enjoys these rights, I hope that same-sex couples can also have the same rights I do,' Wong wrote in Chinese. He said he did not understand why others were opposing the framework 'in the name of love.' 'Granting them these rights does not in any way diminish or threaten the rights of those of us who already have them,' Wong added. 'There is simply no reason to oppose this.' Same-sex relationships 'overly romanticised' Siu Wing-kei said the legalisation of same-sex partnerships would send a 'grave message' to the next generation, whose values are 'still being shaped.' Hong Kong is part of China, she said, adding that the passing of the bill would break Chinese family values and 'the emphasis on preserving the family line through reproduction.' She also said movies and songs may 'overly romanticise same-sex relationships,' and the solution was not 'legalising their behaviours, but through introducing healthy family relationships.'
RTHK
5 hours ago
- RTHK
Dongjiang Column war comes to life in multi-media push
Dongjiang Column war comes to life in multi-media push The southern guerrilla movement made a significant contribution to victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Photo courtesy of the Huizhou's Dongjiang Column Memorial Hall The renovated memorial hall showcases nearly 300 historical photographs and items for visitors. Photo: RTHK Mainland and SAR scholars have hailed a newly renovated museum in Huizhou, Guangdong province that commemorates the history of the East River Column during Japan's invasion of China, saying it will help enhance the sense of national identity among youth. To mark the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the memorial hall of the East River, or Dongjiang, Column – a unit of anti-Japanese communist guerrillas that operated in Guangdong and Hong Kong – launched its revamped exhibitions this year following months of renovations. Speaking in an exclusive interview with RTHK, Ye Quan, director of research and planning at the memorial hall, said the exhibitions allow visitors to learn more about the histories of the guerrillas through the use of multi-media tools. "By utilising settings such as multi-media interactions, restorations of [war] scenes, theatres, coupled with the unique immersive experiences, we're enabling visitors to feel as if they are in the historical scenes as they can hear, touch and feel," he said. Zhang Qiulan, head of the hall's publicity team, said a major secret rescue mission by the guerrilla force from 1942 – after Japan began its occupation of Hong Kong – led 800 patriots and leading cultural figures from Hong Kong to the mainland, which helped protect Chinese cultural heritage. "[By learning about the history of East River Column], it could enable Hong Kong's youth to have deeper understanding about the close ties between the SAR and the mainland, while enhancing their sense of national identity and national pride," she told RTHK. SAR lawmaker and history professor Lau Chi-pang, a non-official member of the SAR's working group on patriotic education, said that while holding such commemorative events are among key tasks for the group this year, the events should not provoke anti-Japanese sentiments. "When it comes to the Sino-Japanese war, it's truly filled with family and national hatred. We shall not exaggerate the wars, but instead focus on the patriotic and heroic sacrifice of soldiers who participated in the war, which [to me] is the most profound learning experience," he told RTHK. Since its launch in 2003, the memorial hall has received an average of around 500,000 visitors each year, mainly from Guangdong and neighbouring regions.
