https://www.scmp.com/rss/522356/feed The Secretary for Labour and Welfare is a governmental body within the Hong Kong administration, headquartered in Tamar. This policy bureau is dedicated to formulating and implementing labour and social welfare policies across Hong Kong. Its primary mission involves safeguarding employees’ rights and benefits, promoting employment, and fostering a caring community by supporting the underprivileged, elderly, children, and needy families. Key areas of focus include manpower development, retirement... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Hong Kong authorities will launch advertisements and a transport guide to help seniors adapt to the revised HK$2 (26 US cents) transport fare scheme, which comes into effect next Friday, according to the city’s welfare chief. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said on Tuesday that the government would extensively publicise changes to the scheme and introduce a guide covering different districts in the coming days. “On Monday, I met district councillors and care teams from... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3347668/government-launch-guide-help-elderly-hongkongers-revised-hk2-fare-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3347668/government-launch-guide-help-elderly-hongkongers-revised-hk2-fare-scheme?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Mar 2026 04:53:18 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong will implement the revised HK$2 (26 US cents) transport fare scheme next Friday, under which elderly residents and those with disabilities will only enjoy the flat rate for journeys costing HK$10 or less. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said on Monday the move was expected to slash government spending by HK$550 million in the coming year. The remaining part of the revised scheme, where beneficiaries would be capped at 240 subsidised trips monthly, will be rolled out... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3347531/changes-hong-kongs-hk2-transport-subsidy-scheme-kick-april-3?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3347531/changes-hong-kongs-hk2-transport-subsidy-scheme-kick-april-3?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Mar 2026 04:09:50 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Hong Kong’s jobless rate dipped by 0.1 percentage point over the past three months to 3.8 per cent, with unemployment dropping in the retail, accommodation, and foundation and superstructure sectors. “The sustained growth momentum of the Hong Kong economy should continue to support the overall labour market, though employment situations in some local sectors may still face challenges due to their business performances,” Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said on Wednesday. The... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3347046/hong-kongs-jobless-rate-falls-01-percentage-point?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3347046/hong-kongs-jobless-rate-falls-01-percentage-point?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Mar 2026 10:34:43 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Conflicts in the Middle East highlight Hong Kong’s attractiveness as a talent hub promising safety and stability, the city’s labour chief has said. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han on Monday said that while Hong Kong already drew global talent because of its status as an international city, its safety and security were “equally important” factors that the escalating tensions in the Middle East had thrown into relief. The joint United States-Israel strikes on Iran entered a... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3345156/middle-east-tensions-highlight-hong-kongs-stability-opportunities-labour-minister?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3345156/middle-east-tensions-highlight-hong-kongs-stability-opportunities-labour-minister?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Mar 2026 10:32:13 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The integral role of domestic helpers in Hong Kong society has been cast in sharp focus by the heroism and sacrifice displayed by foreign workers caught up in the city’s deadliest fire in decades. Their contributions should be honoured by ensuring they receive the same care and attention as other victims of the tragedy. More than 200 foreign workers were employed and living with families in Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court before the housing complex became an inferno on November 26. Of the at least 159... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3335037/domestic-helpers-deserve-praise-heroism-tai-po-fire?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3335037/domestic-helpers-deserve-praise-heroism-tai-po-fire?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Dec 2025 22:45:08 +0000 Matthew Cheng Matthew Cheng A deadly Hong Kong blaze that claimed the lives of several domestic helpers will not deter Filipinos from working in the city, the Philippines’ migrant workers minister has said, adding that the city has always been a “safe haven”. Speaking to the Post during a visit to Hong Kong on Tuesday, Hans Leo Cacdac, secretary for the Philippines’ Department of Migrant Workers, said his government would provide financial assistance to affected helpers and support for their children. He also touched on... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3334958/hong-kong-fire-will-not-deter-filipino-helpers-working-city-minister?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3334958/hong-kong-fire-will-not-deter-filipino-helpers-working-city-minister?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 Dec 2025 14:37:48 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Balancing labour supply and demand has been a challenge for Hong Kong as it scrambles to ensure it has the workforce needed to keep its economic growth on track, as well as advance local and national development goals. So, authorities and industry leaders must carefully examine the latest tally for the city’s import labour scheme. A timely review of labour needs must be done so the programme does its job, countering chronic shortages in a fast-changing global environment. The city has imported... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3330579/hong-kong-must-ensure-labour-import-scheme-does-its-job?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3330579/hong-kong-must-ensure-labour-import-scheme-does-its-job?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Oct 2025 22:45:08 +0000 Fiona Sun Fiona Sun New arrivals to Hong Kong under its various talent schemes have helped stabilise the residential property market by filling in vacancies despite decreased local demand linked to the city’s ageing population, the labour minister has said. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han also said on Friday that the visa renewal situation for the Top Talent Pass Scheme had been “ideal”, adding that authorities would release the relevant statistics within the next two weeks. Sun noted that it was... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3321237/talent-helping-stabilise-hong-kongs-residential-property-market-minister?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3321237/talent-helping-stabilise-hong-kongs-residential-property-market-minister?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 08 Aug 2025 09:55:32 +0000 Oscar Liu,Jiang Chuqin Oscar Liu,Jiang Chuqin Hong Kong’s labour minister has rejected calls to halt the importation of workers amid a manpower shortage across various sectors, despite authorities discovering preliminary evidence in two cases of companies dismissing local employees after bringing in staff from outside the city. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han on Sunday reiterated that the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme, which covers positions such as waiters and salespeople, prioritised local workers. He added that... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3318040/labour-chief-defends-foreign-worker-scheme-despite-hongkongers-job-loss-claims?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3318040/labour-chief-defends-foreign-worker-scheme-despite-hongkongers-job-loss-claims?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Jul 2025 09:53:48 +0000