Employment
local entrepreneurs, including start-ups, are welcome to bring capital and expertise to Hong Kong if they can make a substantial contribution to the economy.
Non-local Students
Non-local fresh graduates of full-time, locally accredited local programmes at degree or higher level may apply to stay in Hong Kong for one year after graduation to take up employment.
Returning non-local graduates may also apply to return to Hong Kong for employment if the job they have secured is at a level normally taken up by degree-holders and remunerated at market rates.
Supplementary Labour Scheme
Under this scheme, employers may apply to the Labour Department to import workers to fill vacancies at technician level or below. All applications are considered on a case-by-case basis. To ensure employment priority for local workers, employers must undertake a four-week open recruitment for each fresh application. The department will then pass the application and its recommendation to members of the Labour Advisory Board for views, followed by the Commissioner for Labour for a decision.
As at December, 4,930 imported workers were working in Hong Kong under the scheme.
Foreign Domestic Helpers
Foreign domestic helpers may be admitted, subject to immigration control, if they have relevant working experience and their employers are Hong Kong residents who will offer the terms of employment stipulated in the government-prescribed standard employment contract. The terms of employment include free and suitable accommodation with reasonable privacy at the employer's residence, free food or food allowance in lieu, wages not lower than the minimum allowable wage set by the government, free passage from and to the helper's place of origin. and free medical treatment. Employers must also meet the required levels of income or assets.
As at December, Hong Kong had 369,651 foreign domestic helpers. The Philippines and Indonesia respectively accounted for 54.4 per cent and 43.2 per cent of the total number of foreign domestic helpers.
Occupational Safety and Health
The Labour Department strives to improve occupational safety and health standards in the workplace through inspection and enforcement, publicity and promotion, and education and training. Occupational safety and health standards have improved through the years with the concerted efforts of employers, employees, contractors, safety practitioners and the government.
In 2017, there were 35,631 occupational injuries, a drop of 15 per cent from the 41,900 cases a decade ago. Over the same period, the number of industrial accidents fell 25.8 per cent, from 14,932 to 11,077. There were 304 cases of occupational diseases confirmed in the year.
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