Sun reassures locals amid labout import reviews
Sun reassures locals amid labout import reviews
Labour chief Chris Sun says around 10,000 visas under the Top Talent Pass Scheme would expire by mid-year. File photo: RTHK
Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun stressed on Saturday that the government's priority is on ensuring local workers stay employed amid ongoing reviews of its various labour importation schemes.
'The Labour Department places great emphasis on local recruitment,' he said after attending a talent expo.
'For example, if local workers try to get a job through the Labour Department but ultimately do not take up the job offer, it will call to understand the reasons behind the refusal,' he said.
'This is a serious approach as the prerequisite of the importation schemes is to safeguard employment for local workers while supplementing the local labour force."
Sun added that around 10,000 visas under the Top Talent Pass Scheme would expire by the middle of the year.
He stressed that more time and data is needed to conclusively find out how many visa-renewal applications have been received for the scheme but said he believes the renewal situation is satisfactory.
Sun also said he trusts that the Social Workers Registration Board would handle each application and renewal fairly and in accordance with the law.
His remarks came as the board's chairman, Herman Hui, said this week that it is leaning towards suspending social worker Jackie Chen's registration for five years as part of its disciplinary process.
Chen has been sentenced to a prison term of three years and nine months recently after being convicted of rioting.
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