Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu acknowledged previous considerations for increasing penalties for the abuse of the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS), but expressed concerns about potentially penalizing innocent parties, given the challenges faced by restaurants.
Lee believes that the tightening of the scheme, as outlined in the latest policy address, will significantly reduce abuse. The new measures introduce stricter requirements for employers seeking to import waiters, waitresses, and junior cooks.
The mandatory local recruitment process was extended from four to six weeks. Within the period, employers must now attend an on-site job fair organized by the Labour Department every week to actively recruit local staff.
The city leader asserted that not all employers seeking to import foreign labour under the ESLS have ill intentions, and added that authorities will closely monitor employers’ usage of the scheme.
He stated that if the measures prove ineffective, the government would strengthen enforcement.
Regarding the potential implementation of a mechanism to halt labour imports if the unemployment rate in the industry exceeds a certain level, Lee highlighted the need for flexibility in government policies. He also stressed that the food and beverage sector is currently undergoing a transformative period, and some companies do need the scheme to help with business.
As for the Heads of Department Accountability System that was put forward in the policy address, Lee claimed that civil servants have always been held accountable, yet the public perceives otherwise due to past ambiguities in the system.
He believes that the new accountability system would encourage self-improvement among civil servants and improve public confidence in the government.
