Hong Kong Raises Age Limit for Non-Local Skilled Workers to Address Labour Shortages
The age limit increase from 35 to 40 aims to attract skilled professionals amid an impending manpower crisis.
The government of Hong Kong has announced an increase in the age limit for non-local skilled workers seeking employment in the city from 35 to 40 years.
This decision was confirmed by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Chris Sun Yuk-han, who stated that the change is intended to attract vital talent to alleviate manpower shortages in various technical fields.
The announcement was made during a radio show, where Sun indicated that the details of the new scheme are still being finalized and will be disclosed in the near future.
He explained that an age limit set at 40 years is deemed more ideal since it allows skilled workers to potentially contribute to the economy until the age of 65, resulting in at least 25 years of economic input from new arrivals.
The sectors identified as having an acute need for this talent include lift maintenance, electrical technicians, and enrolled nurses for care homes.
A policy address by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu last October projected a labour shortfall of approximately 180,000 workers across various sectors within the next five years.
To address this, Lee pledged reforms to the city’s talent admission regime, including new pathways for skilled and experienced workers in specific trades facing significant manpower shortages.
The revised age limit follows extensive consultations, with the government noting that an age range of 18 to 40 years is expected to be more effective in attracting the necessary technical talent.
This revision reflects a broader global trend of aging populations, which is influencing talent acquisition strategies worldwide.
The initiative is positioned to admit 10,000 skilled professionals over a three-year period, with the labour chief asserting that this will not adversely affect local job prospects for technicians.
The programme aims not only to address manpower shortages but also to ensure the protection of local job opportunities, prioritizing industries experiencing acute labour deficiencies.
Additionally, the programme will facilitate the entry of professionals needed for emerging industries where specific skills are not readily available within Hong Kong.
Sun emphasized that the initiative will include strict requirements regarding qualifications and designated work scopes, ensuring that incoming professionals address the pressing shortages in technical fields.
While the government has not imposed restrictions on the origin of these professionals, it is anticipated that a significant proportion will come from mainland China, aligning with trends observed in similar talent acquisition programmes.
This decision was confirmed by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Chris Sun Yuk-han, who stated that the change is intended to attract vital talent to alleviate manpower shortages in various technical fields.
The announcement was made during a radio show, where Sun indicated that the details of the new scheme are still being finalized and will be disclosed in the near future.
He explained that an age limit set at 40 years is deemed more ideal since it allows skilled workers to potentially contribute to the economy until the age of 65, resulting in at least 25 years of economic input from new arrivals.
The sectors identified as having an acute need for this talent include lift maintenance, electrical technicians, and enrolled nurses for care homes.
A policy address by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu last October projected a labour shortfall of approximately 180,000 workers across various sectors within the next five years.
To address this, Lee pledged reforms to the city’s talent admission regime, including new pathways for skilled and experienced workers in specific trades facing significant manpower shortages.
The revised age limit follows extensive consultations, with the government noting that an age range of 18 to 40 years is expected to be more effective in attracting the necessary technical talent.
This revision reflects a broader global trend of aging populations, which is influencing talent acquisition strategies worldwide.
The initiative is positioned to admit 10,000 skilled professionals over a three-year period, with the labour chief asserting that this will not adversely affect local job prospects for technicians.
The programme aims not only to address manpower shortages but also to ensure the protection of local job opportunities, prioritizing industries experiencing acute labour deficiencies.
Additionally, the programme will facilitate the entry of professionals needed for emerging industries where specific skills are not readily available within Hong Kong.
Sun emphasized that the initiative will include strict requirements regarding qualifications and designated work scopes, ensuring that incoming professionals address the pressing shortages in technical fields.
While the government has not imposed restrictions on the origin of these professionals, it is anticipated that a significant proportion will come from mainland China, aligning with trends observed in similar talent acquisition programmes.
