With the Covid-19 pandemic now behind us, various industries in Hong Kong are gradually getting back on their feet. Despite this, a broad range of sectors remain in dire need of manpower. The acute labour shortage is an obstacle hindering economic growth, and if left unaddressed, the resumption of normalcy could be nothing more than empty talk. 

Hong Kong is not only an international financial centre that offers a full range of professional services, it is also a popular tourist destination, a shopping paradise and a culinary capital. However, with scores of restaurants, retail outlets, tourist coach operators and hotels still wrestling with labour shortages, this will inevitably affect whether the Pearl of the Orient can restore its lustre, and how quickly the economy will take off again.

Worse still, the construction and transport sectors need a substantial injection of labour, especially in the development of the Northern Metropolis and other major infrastructure planned around the city. The severe labour crunch could impede the implementation and fruition of these plans.

According to the findings of the Chamber’s talent shortage survey last month, almost three-quarters of the respondents said they were wrestling with a shortage of talent, with more than 60% facing a crunch between 1 to 3 years and 22% for more than three years. Although the Government has launched various talent schemes to help alleviate the shortfall, 80% of the businesses revealed that they did not apply for these schemes, with more than half of the respondents saying that the job categories covered were not relevant to their businesses. 

Notwithstanding such measures as the introduction of the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme and the expansion of the talent list, the issue of understaffing in frontline and elementary positions still remains unresolved, which indicates that there is room for improvement in the talent and labour admission system.

I have been communicating with the Government and providing input on the challenges of the brain drain and acute labour shortage facing Hong Kong. To relieve the manpower pressure, nurturing local talent is crucial in the long run. However, many businesses believe that priority should also be given to broadening the criteria and simplifying the processing of current talent schemes, which will serve to attract more non-local talent. Directly importing workers for sectors experiencing acute manpower shortage should also be top of the list in the short term.

The Greater Bay Area, which is home to a population of over 86 million, can become an important source of manpower for Hong Kong as it seeks to replenish its workforce. Taking reference from the practices adopted by Macao and Singapore, the Government could consider importing talent from neighbouring regions and providing them with ancillary support like accommodation. This would enhance the attractiveness of our city as a favourable place for expatriates to live, work and thrive.

Jeffrey Lam
[email protected]