Labour chief dismisses rumor of blacklisting fired imported workers

Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han clarified on Thursday that no imported workers terminated mid-contract will be blacklisted by the government, saying it is just a tactic applied by certain agencies to intimidate workers.

The labour chief urged imported workers from the mainland to apply directly to one of the 14 approved mainland labour service enterprises instead of contacting the so-called intermediaries.

Sun emphasized that the government has never drafted any blacklist against imported workers who are terminated mid-contract, with no restrictions preventing them from returning to Hong Kong for work.

He also emphasized that law enforcement agencies will look into cases where agencies illegally deduct salaries from imported workers or charge arbitrary fees disguised as management costs.

Furthermore, Sun urged imported workers whose rights have been violated to report their cases.

The government will provide transportation and accommodation for workers who have returned to the mainland but are willing to travel to Hong Kong to assist with the investigation, he added.