Union urges Hong Kong to reconsider foreign worker program

Trade unions in Hong Kong are calling for a halt or review of a scheme that brings in workers from outside the city, following allegations of exploitation of migrant laborers in the construction industry.

The government launched the scheme last July to import up to 20,000 workers, mainly from mainland China, for jobs in construction, transport, and aviation to address labor shortages. However, some unions are expressing concerns about its impact on the local workforce.

Authorities recently suspended the scheme for importing construction workers, prompting unions to request the withdrawal or early review of the entire program. More than 12,000 workers have been brought in so far, with a promised review scheduled two years after the scheme’s launch.