To alleviate the manpower shortage across different sectors, the Chief Executive in Council has earlier endorsed the enhancement of the coverage and operation of the Supplementary Labour Scheme (SLS). After consulting the Labour Advisory Board (LAB), the Labour Department (LD) will launch the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS) next Monday (September 4) and begin accepting applications on the same date.
The Chief Executive in Council endorsed on June 13 recommendations to introduce sector-specific labour importation schemes for the construction and transport sectors (sector-specific labour importation schemes), as well as enhancing the coverage and operation of the SLS by the following measures to relieve the manpower shortage problem in other sectors:
(1) suspending the general exclusion of 26 job categories (Annex 1) as well as unskilled/low-skilled posts from the SLS for two years; and
(2) enhancing the dissemination of application information to employers, streamlining the procedures for processing applications and refining the workflow of consultation with the LAB.
After consulting the LAB, the LD will implement the following enhancement measures:
(1) Enhance dissemination of application information to employers
The LD will organise five briefings for employers in September to explain the information needed for submitting applications, points-to-note and the flow of applications, as well as answering questions on the spot. Please refer to Annex 2 for details. The LD will continue to organise briefings for employers from time to time and publicise information of common posts, including their median monthly wages, for the reference of employers.
(2) Streamline verification of application information
At present, after each application is screened in, Labour Inspectors of the LD will liaise with the applicant employer to arrange an inspection of its office premises and intended workplaces of the imported labour to verify relevant information. The LD will replace inspection visits by Labour Inspectors with desktop checks, and with verification by telephone or in writing with the applicant employers as appropriate.
(3) Enhance local recruitment arrangements of labour importation applications
Upon commencement of the four-week local recruitment for job vacancies which have passed the screening under the ESLS, the LD will send details of the job vacancies to LAB members and the relevant trade unions for their referral of suitable local job seekers to apply for relevant posts during the local recruitment period.
(4) Refine workflow of consultation with the LAB
At present, the LD circulates recommendations supplemented by a case write-up on each SLS application to LAB members for views every month. To help LAB members grasp the key points of applications and recommendations, the LD will present the recommendations in a tabulated form in place of providing a case write-up.
(5) Enhance information dissemination at briefings on employment rights
To protect imported workers' employment rights and benefits, employers must arrange and grant paid leave to each imported worker for attending a briefing on employment rights within eight weeks upon his/her arrival in Hong Kong to ensure that they understand their rights and benefits of working in Hong Kong. The LD will collaborate with trade unions on distributing their information leaflets at the briefings, so as to provide more channels for imported workers to seek assistance and make enquiries. LAB members or trade union representatives referred by them may also join the briefings to convey messages about employment rights to imported workers.
After launching the above enhancement measures, the LD will strive to complete the processing of an application within three months after it passes the screening under the ESLS.
The Federation will have the briefing session with the LD on August 31, 2023 to explain the information needed for submitting applications, points-to-note and the flow of applications, as well as answering questions on the spot. The application form of the ESLS, details of the briefings for employers, etc, are attached and uploaded onto the webpage of the LD (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/plan/iwESLS.htm).
If Members have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
