The Labour Importation Scheme for the Transport Sector - Aviation Industry (Scheme) will be open for a third round of application tomorrow (March 18).
Like the previous two rounds, this scheme allows for the importation of labor for 10 frontline non-supervisory job types that are experiencing significant manpower shortages. These positions include passenger services officers, ramp services agents, cabin crew, aircraft maintenance mechanics/technicians, tractor drivers, warehouse operators/cargo handlers, equipment/loader operators, customer service agents, aircraft tug drivers, and maintenance technicians. Eligible applicants must be registered business entities holding a contract, license, franchise, or passenger handling permit from the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) to operate at Hong Kong International Airport. Additionally, applicants are required to pay AAHK HK$400 per month for each imported worker, while the AAHK will contribute an equivalent annual sum to support local frontline staff transport costs, a measure initiated by the Government and coordinated by the AAHK since May of last year.
The application process and operational details remain consistent with the first two rounds. Applicants should submit their completed application forms and required documents to the AAHK between March 18 and March 31. A liaison group, including representatives from the Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB), the Labour Department, and the AAHK, will review the applications, with final approval decisions made by the Permanent Secretary for Transport and Logistics. The approval process is expected to take around two weeks after the application period ends.
The TLB and AAHK will hold regular meetings with a stakeholder consultative group to gather feedback from employers and labor representatives regarding the scheme. They will also enhance communication to ensure smooth implementation.
Application forms and further details are available on the TLB website: [www.tlb.gov.hk/eng/highlights/transport/labour_importation_scheme_aviation_industry.html]. For inquiries, contact the AAHK at 2188 6603.
Launched in July 2023, the scheme aims to protect local employment while allowing the aviation industry to import labor to address acute shortages and support the ongoing development of Hong Kong's aviation sector. Following two application rounds, approximately 4,100 quotas have been filled, with around 4,000 imported workers now employed in Hong Kong.
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