Trade unions say Hong Kong must halt or review scheme to bring back workers

Trade unions have called on Hong Kong authorities to halt or reconsider a scheme to bring in transport, retail and aviation workers from outside the city, after it suspended such arrangements for the construction industry amid accusations of exploitation of migrant workers.

The unions’ call to withdraw the scheme or speed up its review comes after authorities cancelled the latest round of applications to import construction workers.

The government launched a program to import up to 20,000 workers, mostly from mainland China, to work in construction, transportation and aviation last July to ease labor shortages. It also expanded another program to bring in unskilled and semi-skilled workers in 26 job categories.

More than 12,000 transport, aviation and construction workers have been hired so far. The government has previously said the scheme would be reviewed two years after its launch.

However, some unions have criticised the scheme and raised concerns about its impact on the local workforce.