Plumbers, electricians and specialised construction workers will be among the first invited to Hong Kong under the SAR's next scheme to bring in employees from elsewhere, the government said on Sunday. Officials say Hong Kong faces a shortfall of around 180,000 workers by 2028, but plans are already afoot to bring in 30,000 skilled technicians over three years under a new scheme starting in 2025. Labour Secretary Chris Sun told TVB that the administration will first focus on finding new blood for sectors facing the worst manpower crunches. He said their visas will tie them to the occupation they are in when they first move to the SAR. "There will surely be special arrangements for these visas, meaning that before they become Hongkongers, they will be required to stay in the job where we had a shortage. This is very clear," the minister said. "But after seven years when they obtain permanent residency, you can't have so many requirements. We surely cannot lock workers down to a particular job forever." The labour chief said he believes the workers concerned will mostly choose to stay in their profession after becoming a permanent resident. He also stressed that the government remains committed to encouraging locals into work, adding that subsidies for those re-joining the workforce will remain in place.
