TNAG-1855-FCO40-2630-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-memoranda-and-minutes-of-me-1989 — Page 142

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL -8 March 1989

香港立法局 一九八九年三月八日

15

MRS. FONG: If the criteria for the importation of foreign labour is skill and the extent of its availability in Hong Kong, then the foreign domestic helpers fulfil those two criteria. Could the Administration advise if there are guidelines on defining what is skilled and unskilled labour, and what proof is required to establish that a particular skill is not readily available in Hong Kong? Would the guidelines apply to recruitment advertisements in newspapers?

SECRETARY FOR SECURITY: Sir, in evaluating individual applications for the importation of employees, the Immigration Department takes account of a number of factors. It has to, for example, assess whether the applicant's skill, knowledge, or experience is relevant to the position offered, and whether the terms and conditions of employment are comparable to those offered to local employees taking the same or similar kinds of jobs. It also has to assess whether the employing company has taken any positive steps to recruit locally. And finally, it has to assess whether the activities of the applicant and the employer are beneficial to Hong Kong as a whole.

倪少傑議員問:主席先生,鑑於本港若干企業用培訓為名從中國大陸引入勞工,政府可否告知本 局,此項引入是否符合政府現行的申請規例?若然,請問政府可否考慮與中國方面洽議,擴大這 項培訓計劃到各行業,特別是製造業,以減輕本地企業輸出人才協助內地企業發展的壓力,並緩 和木港近期職位空缺嚴重的增加?

SECRETARY FOR SECURITY: Sir, I believe that for enterprises who wish to import labour into Hong Kong in all cases it would be done under the existing policy.

MR. MCGREGOR: Sir, what special skill does a Filipino maid possess? And might not a construction worker from China possess at least an equal skill?

SECRETARY FOR SECURITY: Sir, in assessing the skill of the Filipino worker we have also to look at the contribution to the economy of Hong Kong. There has been an increasing tendency for Hong Kong women to work outside the home, many at professional and managerial levels. Employment of foreign domestic helpers permits many women to do so, and this undoubtedly makes a significant contribution to the economy. There is no doubt that local domestic helpers are in short supply because the employment opportunities in other trades. offer better career prospects and working conditions.