Mainland labour imports back on the agenda
The proposal would help create jobs for Hong Kong workers, says minister
With Hong Kong's economy on the rebound, it is time to again consider a scheme for importing workers from the mainland, says labour minister Stephen Ip Shu-kwan.
The proposal, under discussion for five years, would allow employers to hire three mainland workers for every new job they create for a local worker.
'Under the one-plus-three scheme, we hope to create new jobs for local workers by importing mainland workers. The plan will help boost the labour market and it guarantees that local workers' conditions will not decline because of the import of mainland workers,' said Mr Ip, the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour.
'We will create a mechanism that the unions will agree on before we proceed.'
Unions believe that with a record 8.7 per cent of the Hong Kong labour force unemployed, and a further 4.2 per cent underemployed, the scheme would result in lower pay and fewer employment benefits for local workers.
The one-plus-three idea is seen as a way of preventing manufacturers relocating even more factories to the mainland, by lowering their costs through importing mainland labour.
It is understood that the maximum import quota would be set at 5,000, with the possibility for expansion if results are positive.
The Federation of Hong Kong Industries said there was a lack of certain kinds of workers in Hong Kong.
A spokeswoman said: 'There is a need to import manufacturing industry labourers and professionals. For the past 10 years we have lacked talent in this industry. Hong Kong workers do not have skills in this area.'
Unionist legislator Leung Yiu-chung said the scheme was an excuse for employers to cheat local workers.
'I'm disgusted by this scheme. How can you guarantee that they will hire one local for every three mainland workers? Employers can just fire the local after they get their mainland labourers. There is no way the government can protect local workers from such abuses.
'The working conditions, salaries and benefits of local workers will suffer because employers can threaten to replace them with mainland workers if they complain. All that employers care about is lowering costs.'
Mr Leung said Hong Kong workers were already facing the threat of a surge in illegal workers coming to the city as a result of the relaxation of travel restrictions on mainland visitors from some cities.
Mr Ip acknowledged that many people were concerned about illegal workers and said: 'We have already strengthened the cross-departmental efforts against illegal workers. The Public Security Bureau on the mainland is also very concerned about this issue. They always check for criminal records before issuing permits.'
