In this file photo dated Feb 19, 2021, a staff member wearing a face mask works in a coffee shop in Hong Kong, China. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Several labor groups have expressed concern about the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government’s plan to expand the importation of overseas labor in certain industries, calling on the authorities to prioritize benefits for local workers and offer local employees diversified job opportunities.

The Federation of Hong Kong Transportation and Logistics Industry Union, Public Light Buses Staff Union, Airport Air Freight Employees Association, and Coach Drivers Union Friday jointly launched a petition against the importation plan outside the government headquarters in Admiralty.

A representative from the Airport Air Freight Employees Association expressed the concern that the enthusiasm of local staff will be affected once workers are imported, which may lead to a growing shortage of personnel at the airport

A representative of the Federation of Hong Kong Transportation and Logistics Industry Union said that many front-line workers have expressed concern to the federation that importing a large number of workers will undermine employment opportunities for local grass-roots workers, such as baggage handlers and cabin cleaners, as the entry threshold for these posts is relatively low.

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A workers’ representative from the Public Light Bus Staff Union said that many people are able to work as light bus drivers in Hong Kong, but the low salaries and unfavorable working environment cause a continuous loss in driver numbers. He added that the average salary of light bus drivers is 13000 to 14000 per month, far lower than the average of the whole transportation industry, which is 23496 per month. 

A representative from the Airport Air Freight Employees Association expressed the concern that the enthusiasm of local staff will be affected once workers are imported, which may lead to a growing shortage of personnel at the airport. 

Besides increasing salaries, the Association called for greater transportation subsidies for airport staff or a free shuttle bus to help them commute to and from work. 

Members of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions recently met with Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho, and Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han to discuss the issue of importing overseas workers. The party also submitted a written proposal about how to better utilize the city’s labor resources.

Wong Ping, vice-chairman of the group, suggested the government steadily roll out construction projects, to avoid competing for workers at the same time.

To make better use of the city’s labor resources, Kingsley Wong Kwok, chairman of the federation, advised the government to strengthen support for females to enter the labor market and optimize the education at colleges and universities to cultivate more local talents.

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He also suggested officials ensure that salary and welfare improvements remain in step with the city’s economic growth, while doubling down on efforts to introduce technology to increase local production capacity.

Lam Sai-hung told a media luncheon on Thursday that ongoing recruitment difficulties in the transport industry will have a long-term economic impact on society. 

Lam added that before they import any drivers, the HKSAR government will first consider the impact on employment levels of local drivers and consult extensively with industry representatives.

Contact the writer at mikegu@chinadailyhk.com