THE MTR is to scrap benefits for expatriate staff and give preference to local candidates when recruiting.
The policy switch by the government-funded corporation follows pressure from legislators and may set a precedent for the Provisional Airport Authority (PAA).
MTRC (Mass Transit Railway Corporation) personnel director Patrick Maule said yesterday that the new policy would ensure priority was given to local candidates.
''We have taken lot of steps to ensure preferences or first chances are given to recruitment in Hong Kong,'' he said.
A pay equalisation scheme would scrap all the benefits enjoyed solely by the expatriate staff.
''If we still find it appropriate to go abroad, then we'll from now on be recruiting on equalised terms, that is, local terms,'' he said.