30th April 2025 – (Hong Kong) In recent years, Hong Kong has significantly increased the import of foreign labour to address workforce shortages, inadvertently undermining job security for local workers, particularly those in middle to older age groups. The Society for Community Organisation has received numerous requests for assistance from older employees, most of whom are engaged in entry-level positions within the service sector. Many local workers with up to 17 years of experience have faced salary reductions, only to see their roles replaced by foreign workers.
According to data from the government’s Sector-specific Labour Importation Schemes and the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme, over 21,000 foreign workers have been imported for the catering industry alone, including approximately 10,000 chefs, over 8,500 waitstaff, and more than 2,000 dishwashers. Wu Wai-tung, a representative from the Society for Community Organisation, expressed deep disappointment over these developments and urged the government to consider tightening or halting the importation of foreign labour. He called for policies and mechanisms to safeguard the employment of local older workers.
The Census and Statistics Department indicates that Hong Kong’s population is ageing, with the number of workers aged 65 and over rising from 57,100 in 2011 to 230,400 by April 2024. Employment rates for this demographic have increased from 6.5% to 13.6%. However, older workers continue to face challenges in securing jobs, increasingly becoming marginalised due to the influx of foreign labour.
The restaurant industry has become a particularly affected area, with older workers already at a disadvantage in the job market. Wu emphasised that without a cap on the number of foreign workers, the competitive landscape for older local employees will be further strained. He reiterated the need for the government to reconsider its foreign labour policies, especially in sectors like catering and construction, where foreign labour is heavily concentrated.
