Over 28,000 workers imported under ESLS, waiters predominate

Since September last year, the government has implemented the Enhanced Supplementary Labor Scheme (ESLS), relaxing the importation rules for 26 types of jobs.

The Secretary for Labor and Welfare, Chris Sun, in a written response to questions from legislators, stated that as of the end of last month, the plan received 7,448 applications involving the request to import 66,230 workers. Of these, 3,886 applications were approved, corresponding to quotas for 28,818 imported workers.

Among the approved foreign workers, waiters formed the largest group with 5,231 individuals, followed by junior chefs and sales clerks with 2,867 and 2,294 people respectively. During the same period, the Labor Department rejected 34 applications for importation, mainly because they did not fully comply with the regulations of the optimization plan, such as the ratio of imported workers to local employees. The authorities received 62 complaints primarily concerning wages and work hours.

Sun emphasized that the Labor Department closely monitors the implementation of the optimization plan and will review the measures before the two-year period ends.

Sun also said that the priority remains to protect local workers' employment while allowing employers to import labor to alleviate labor shortages and promote Hong Kong's economic development.

"The government will also enhance training and recruitment services to support local workers' employment first."

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