THE high unemployment rate is a hot topic of debate at the present time. The Government has denied that this rising tide of jobless can be attributed to the importation of mainland labour to Hong Kong. The Government is right that labour importation is not the main cause. However, it ought to pay attention to the factors that bring about the importation of labour. In Hong Kong there is much discrimination, for example related to gender or age, or to academic qualifications. Some employers bring in young mainland labourers on wages far lower than someone from Hong Kong would be willing to accept. Middle-aged local labourers are not able to work at the same pace as the younger mainlanders. Local women also find themselves losing out in the job market. The Government should certainly reduce the number of workers it imports and at the same time, seriously address the issue of discrimination in Hong Kong. DARIA K.Y. LEE Chai Wan
