HK lawmakers propose economic and labor reforms ahead of Policy Address

As Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu prepares to deliver his annual Policy Address next Wednesday, lawmakers from various parties have proposed incentives for consumption, vibrant pedestrian nightlife zones, and flexible foreign labor policies to stimulate the economy and address labor concerns.

Lawmaker Peter Shiu Ka-fai suggested distributing HK$2,000 electronic consumption vouchers to eligible Hong Kong residents. 

The proposed amount reflects fiscal constraints due to the budget deficit, with a suggested mechanism to encourage spending by requiring a minimum purchase amount before vouchers can be used, similar to practices in Macau.

To boost the city’s nighttime economy, Shiu pushed to transform pedestrian areas like Mong Kok’s Sai Yeung Choi Street into vibrant hubs. Proposals emphasize balancing noise levels to minimize disturbance to residents while creating lively street activities to attract both locals and tourists.

Lawmaker Lo Wai-kwok also highlighted the need to revitalize Hong Kong’s once-thriving night economy, drawing comparisons to bustling nightlife in Singapore and Paris. 

He urged the government to relax regulations to support businesses eager to contribute to this sector’s revival.

On labor policies, concerns were raised about the Supplementary Labour Scheme, which approved around 60,000 applications by June, including 9,900 for restaurant workers. 

This has sparked worries about local job security, particularly in the catering industry, which faces higher unemployment. 

Lawmaker Holden Chow Ho-ding suggested prioritizing local employment while maintaining flexible foreign worker policies for industries with persistent labor shortages, such as elderly care, but pausing imports for sectors like catering.