Imported labor 'shouldn't land' jobs at airport

An aviation-linked union opposes importing labor to work at the airport, arguing it will hurt local workers.

Administration officials are to announce this month details of a scheme to import workers, with openings for several thousand in the construction sector as well as at the airport.

The Staffs and Workers Union of Hong Kong Civil Airlines say authorities should instead focus on retaining locals and attracting new workers by increasing pay and welfare benefits.

Union chairman Li Wing-foo also said the Hong Kong administration should not focus on filling current vacancies with foreign workers while not training locals.

"If foreign workers fill vacancies and training is not provided to locals we will need to rely on foreign labor in the long run," he said. "Then how can we ensure job stability for future generations?"

And skilled workers in the local aviation industry will be lost, he added.

But Secretary for Labor and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said earlier that authorities would guarantee employment opportunities for local workers while importing others.

The union countered that instead of importing workers authorities could attract back locals who left airport work amid the pandemic.

The union is in fact expecting workers to return to aviation-linked jobs after the completion of the airport's third runway.

In the long term, the union said, the administration must introduce measures to attract young people to join the aviation industry, which will also be needed to cope with more passengers and cargo traffic in the three-runway system.

Manpower training is also needed to ensure the development of the industry and strengthen Hong Kong's status as an international hub, the union argued.

It wants to see measures to improve pay and the welfare of frontline workers at the airport, which besides retaining people would attract more locals.

Li said airport pay levels have lagged behind the market. A loading worker at the airport earns HK$13,000 a month, he said, while a comparable job elsewhere commands around HK$16,000.

In addition, the union wants the Airport Authority to provide transportation for airport employees to reach their workplace. And more transport subsidies should be considered to help with bus and MTR fares for at least a year to alleviate the present financial burden of airport workers.

stacy.shi@singtaonewscorp.com