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Labour import schemes must remain flexible
The labour importation schemes must remain flexible to react swiftly to market needs, the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mr Michael Leung, told the Legislative Council today (Wednesday).
Speaking at the resumed debate on the second reading of the Hon Michael Ho's Immigration (Amendment) Bill, Mr Leung said it was of vital importance for the schemes to be maintained as administrative schemes because "only in this way can we ensure flexibility."
He pointed out that the Bill, which sought to codify the arrangements for foreign workers to enter Hong Kong, would effectively constrain the Government's ability to respond quickly to support the economy's need for manpower to sustain growth.
"Furthermore, the Bill does not spell out clearly what exactly will be included in the subsidiary legislation," he added.
"This will give rise to a lot of confusion and controversies in the drafting of the subsidiary legislation," Mr Leung said.
"If the Bill were passed, renewal of the quotas under our on-going labour importation schemes will have to come to an abrupt stop until subsidiary legislation acceptable to LegCo has been drawn up and become effective.
He said the Hong Kong economy as a whole would thus be seriously affected, in particular industries and companies which needed to use the schemes to maintain their operation.
"This would not benefit the interests of those whom the supporters of this Bill are trying to safeguard," Mr Leung stressed.
The Secretary noted that both the General Labour Importation Scheme and the Special Labour Importation Scheme for the airport core projects had been carefully devised to take fully into consideration both the labour shortage problem and the need to protect the interests of the local workforce.
"We do undertake regular reviews over the years to ensure that these policies are working to the best interests of our economy and the various sectors affected," he said.