Hong Kong approves applications of 2,900 aviation industry workers in bid to curb manpower shortage
Hong Kong Free Press
Hong Kong transport authorities have approved almost 2,900 applications to import aviation industry workers under a scheme to ease a manpower crunch in the industry.
The workers will cover 10 jobs under the scheme, including passenger services officers, which make up about a quarter of the newly imported workforce, as well as other ground crew workers and maintenance workers.
Following an assessment by the Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB), the Labour Department, and the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), 2,841 out of 2,889 applications were approved. Passenger services officers accounted for the largest proportion of imported workers, followed by ramp services agents, aircraft maintenance technicians and cabin workers.
“The TLB and the AAHK will continue to maintain communication with the consultative group and provide appropriate assistance to eligible applicants in order to ensure their understanding of the relevant requirements of the Scheme,” the statement issued Monday read.
“We hope that imported labour will receive training and work in Hong Kong soon, with a view to relieving the acute manpower shortage in the aviation industry and supporting the continual recovery of the industry,” a spokesman for the bureau said.
The almost 2,900 applications were approved under the first round of applications. The second will follow in due course, the bureau said.
Testing the waters
The aviation industry was named alongside the construction and transport sectors in June when the government approved a plan to import 20,000 workers in a bid to alleviate the city’s labour crunch.
Monday’s approvals accounted for about 45 per cent of the quota ceiling of 6,300 aviation workers announced under the importation scheme. Also under the transport sector, authorities plan to import 1,700 minibus and coach drivers. A quota of 12,000 was set for construction workers.
But according to a survey conducted by the Society for Community Organization, almost three-quarters of Hong Kong’s low-income workers oppose the government’s plan to import foreign labour amid manpower shortfalls, with many fearing they could see reduced wages or even job losses.
Speaking on Commercial Radio, Hong Kong Airline Service Providers Association president Vivien Lau said many companies who sent in applications were “testing the waters,” adding that the number of applications reflected a high demand for ground staff positions.
She added that imported workers’ wages must be higher than the median wages of workers with less than four years of experience.
Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Group, meanwhile, has also said it was seeking to recruit cadet pilots and flight attendants from mainland China this year, as it announced its interim results last week. The group announced in June plans to recruit 800 cadet pilots by the end of next year.
Support HKFP | Policies & Ethics | Error/typo? | Contact Us | Newsletter | Transparency & Annual Report | Apps
Help safeguard press freedom & keep HKFP free for all readers by supporting our team
Support press freedom & help us surpass 1,000 monthly Patrons: 100% independent, governed by an ethics code & not-for-profit.
