The government is actively promoting the silver economy, but concerns have emerged that foreign labor policies may lead employers to favor younger workers, thereby reducing job opportunities for older individuals.
In response, Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun stated during a Legislative Council meeting today (July 9) that the Labour Department is committed to ensuring local workers have priority in employment through the "Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme." This initiative encourages employers to evaluate candidates based on merit, regardless of age.
Employers applying for the scheme must conduct four weeks of local recruitment, prioritizing suitable local workers at a monthly wage no lower than the market median for similar positions. Additionally, the plan requires employers to maintain a ratio of two local full-time employees for every imported worker and prohibits replacing existing local employees with foreign labor. In cases of downsizing, employers should first reduce the number of foreign workers to protect local employment opportunities.
Sun also highlighted that the government is implementing measures to assist job seekers. The three-year "Re-employment Allowance Pilot Scheme," launched last year, encourages individuals aged 40 and above who have been unemployed for three consecutive months to re-enter the job market. As of June, over 45,000 participants had been recorded, with nearly 23,000 employment cases, approximately a quarter of which involve individuals aged 60 and above.
Moreover, the government is promoting voluntary contributions to the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) for employees aged 65 and above, aiming to incentivize older workers to remain in the labor market.
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