"Lamenting Job Losses": Hong Kong Workers Express Discontent over Being Replaced by Foreign Labor
Rewritten Article:
Har Cheng, a 67-year-old woman who dedicated nearly two decades of her life to a Hong Kong food stall, was left devastated when she found herself replaced by imported workers from the mainland. The stall, where she handled dish washing, table cleaning, and beer sales, was her retirement destination, yet it all felt like a futile endeavor.
"I thought I had a few more years before I could retire comfortably, and the stall had at least 28 workers. How could they target me first?" Cheng lamented.
Unionists and human rights watchdog, the Society for Community Organisation, voiced their worries over the city's manpower crisis ahead of Labour Day (May 1). The group had received multiple reports from local workers, who found themselves sacked and replaced by imported labor.
In a bid to tackle the city's enduring manpower shortage, the government granted employers the liberty to bring in unlimited numbers of unskilled or low-skilled workers from the mainland for 26 new job types, such as waiters, junior chefs, and sales staff in catering.
The influx of workers raises several unresolved questions, such as whether this measure effectively alleviates manpower needs or merely replaces local labor. Furthermore, local workers are concerned about their employment opportunities being snatched up by the imported workforce. A survey revealed that over 90% of local workers oppose labor importation due to this very concern[4].
The swift importation of workers also raises concerns about its impact on local employment. Over 80% of workers in the catering industry report the presence of imported labor in their companies, often leading to the dismissal of local employees[3]. Warnings have been issued to employers that they may face sanctions if they replace local employees with imported labor, which contradicts the scheme's original intent of supplementation and not replacement[5].
A growing call for regulatory reviews of the labor importation scheme has been made to ensure its effectiveness and to prevent any negative impact on local employment. The government is assessing the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme, taking into account feedback from employers and labor groups, before considering whether to renew or adjust the program[5].
In essence, the debate revolves around the affect on local employment opportunities, the necessity of effective regulation, and the importance of ensuring imported labor supplements, rather than replaces local workers.
References[1] South China Morning Post, "Hong Kong government to allow total unlimited supply of mainland labour", 20 September 2023, https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3165470/hong-kong-allow-total-unlimited-supply-mainland-labour
[3] Labour Education and Service Network, "Response to the Labour Department consultation on the proposals to establish the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme", June 2024, https://lesn.org.hk/resources/files/2024/06/Consultation-on-the-proposals-to-establish-the-Enhanced-Supplementary-Labour-Scheme---LESN-Response.pdf
[4] Oriental Daily, "Over 90% of local workers oppose labor importation", 15 May 2024, https://www.orientaldaily.com.hk/kz/news/local/local-workers-catering-industry
[5] Hong Kong Labour Department, "Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme", https://www.labour.gov.hk/eng/lablaw/employment/employment_agencyworkers/els/
- The influx of imported workers from the mainland has become a contentious issue in Hong Kong, as evidenced by the concerns raised by human rights watchdog, the Society for Community Organisation.
- Local labourers, like Har Cheng, are expressing worry about the impact of this increased migration on their employment opportunities in various sectors, such as the catering industry.
- Unionists and others have called for reviews of the labor importation scheme, insisting on the need for effective regulation to ensure that imported labor serves to supplement, rather than replace, local workers.
- The Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme is currently being assessed by the government, taking into account feedback from employers and labour groups, to determine whether the program should be renewed or adjusted in light of these concerns.
- Science and workplace-wellness, including health-and-wellness, should be considered when addressing labour issues, as ensuring the health and safety of all workers, regardless of origin, is crucial for a harmonious and productive society.
- This debate over labour policy is not only a matter of local politics, but also of general news importance, as it touches on fundamental human rights and societal well-being.
