Manpower shortage to more than triple by 2028

Hong Kong will face a manpower crunch of 180,000 workers by 2028, compared with the shortage of 50,000 that was recorded last year, according to the government's manpower projection released on Thursday. The shortfall in the service industry was the worst last year, as it saw a shortage of 24,000 staff. But the Labour and Welfare Bureau said the situation would change by 2028 as jobs requiring skilled technicians would see a significant shortage of talent. It said the city needs to find at least 60,000 additional staff to fill the shortfall, a six-fold increase from last year. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun revealed the government already has plans to import 30,000 skilled workers in phases over the next three years. "We are going to allow qualified technical professionals, who may not have a graduate degree, they may be educated below the bachelor level, to allow them into Hong Kong to fill the gap," he said. "But one criteria we have to uphold is these people - they must be young technical professionals. By young, we mean those aged at or under 35." Sun revealed the bureau came up with the projection after holding more than 170 consultation sessions with different industries. He noted the rapid development of AI and automation, saying that the labour shortfall would be worse without the help of technology.

Manpower shortage to more than triple by 2028

Manpower shortage to more than triple by 2028

Manpower shortage to more than triple by 2028

Manpower shortage to more than triple by 2028

Manpower shortage to more than triple by 2028