The Labour Department will accept employers' applications for importation of labour four weeks after the launch of the centre. It will take about eight weeks for the department to process an application while the Immigration Department will take another four to six weeks to process an application for a visa or entry permit.
Permanent Secretary for Economic Development & Labour Matthew Cheung said the recruitment ratio of local workers to imported labour will ensure additional local workers can take up employment and help develop the industry. It will also generate more job opportunities in other supporting and ancillary positions, such as merchandisers, shipping clerks and general labourers. He expected the scheme will bring 3,000 to 5,000 jobs for local workers.
Stringent monitoring measures will be put in place to prevent employers from abusing the scheme. These include the setting up of a complaint hotline, inspection of lists of local workers and their wage records, regular inspections, close liaison with labour unions.
A committee, chaired by Mr Cheung with representatives of the Labour Advisory Board, textiles and clothing manufacturers, industry-specific labour unions, training bodies and relevant government bodies, will identify how best to strengthen the recruitment of local workers and monitor the effectiveness of the flexibility measures for importation of labour.
To assist new entrants and encourage employers to take on new hands, the Labour Department will fuse its Work Trial Scheme and Employment Training Programme for the middle-aged into the Clothing Industry Training Authority's retraining programmes.
The department will provide the Clothing Industry Training Authority with a one-off grant of $2.5 million to set up the recruitment and training centre.
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
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