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Foreign workers in scheduled training programme
Following is a question by the Hon Christine Loh and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Peter Lai, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
As the Immigration Department grants employment visas to both imported workers and foreign workers coming to the territory to participate in "scheduled training programmes", will the Administration inform this Council:
Reply:
(a)
(b)
Mr President.
(a)
(b)
how many foreigners who are currently participating in "scheduled training programmes" with the permission of the Immigration Department have stayed in the territory for more than six months; and
of the reasons why foreign workers participating in "scheduled training programmes" are excluded from the statistics on imported workers under the Government's imported labour scheme?
In 1994, 5,726 visas for the purpose of training were issued; in the first five months this year, 1,961 visas were issued. We have no breakdown of these numbers by the length of the training period.
Foreign trainees are admitted to stay for a limited period to acquire, through training, skills and knowledge not readily available in their home country. After the training, they will return to their home country to continue employment in their profession or trade. Imported workers are admitted to meet a local demand; they work for a specified employer in a specified post under a standard contract. Since the purpose of entry for foreign trainees and imported workers are different, they are accounted for separately in the statistical data.
End/Wednesday, June 28, 1995