Construction sector races to fill its import quota

The government has approved allowing in 4,680 construction workers under 20 contracts, making up 39 percent of the Development Bureau's quota for the sector.

Applications for 26 works contracts involving 5,251 imported workers, including skilled workers, technicians and site supervisory personnel, were received in the July 17-to-August 16 application period.

Authorities announced in June that 12,000 construction workers from the mainland and overseas would be allowed in and that they would be employed mainly in public construction projects involving contract prices of not less than HK$1 billion.

The 4,680 workers fall within 29 trades of skilled workers and 18 disciplines of technicians and site supervisory personnel identified to be in shortage after consultation with relevant committees, the bureau said.

The contracts include those related to the airport and its related expansion, hospital development, waste management and sewage facilities, road construction, and other building projects.

The approved positions mainly include refrigeration/air-con or ventilation and fire service mechanics, cement sand mortar and wood workerr, and bar bender and fixer.

Together with the 800 quotas previously approved, 5,480 of the 12,000 slots have been filled.

A bureau spokesman said: "We expect the imported labor would support infrastructure development that will improve people's livelihood and the economy."

"The bureau and the Construction Industry Council will continue to collaborate with the industry, including unions, to implement multipronged measures, including enhancing training and recruitment of local labor, as well as promoting the wider adoption of innovative technologies."

The scheme accepts applications quarterly every January, April, July and October. The second round of applications will close on October 31.

Under the scheme, employers need to provide accommodation for the workers either next to their workplace or arrange for them to live in centralized dormitories.

The first centralized dormitory, a former isolation facility in Tam Mei, Yuen Long, which is managed by the Construction Industry Council, is expected to open this month.

The 10-hectare site, equivalent to 18 football fields, will provide 2,000 units for 8,000 workers for two years.