The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, visited the Recruitment Centre for the Catering Industry and the Recruitment Centre for the Retail Industry at the Treasury Building in Cheung Sha Wan this afternoon (March 1) to take a closer look at the enhanced employment services of the Labour Department (LD) upon resumption of economic activities following the lifting of all mandatory mask-wearing requirements in Hong Kong.

     Accompanied by the Commissioner for Labour, Ms May Chan, Mr Sun first looked into the latest territory-wide job vacancies of the catering and retail industries posted at the recruitment centres as well as individual job titles with acute manpower shortages. Vacancy search terminals at the recruitment centres enable job seekers to search for vacancies while employers can conduct on-site job interviews in the interview rooms. Mr Sun also spoke with job seekers to learn more about their experiences.

     Eight organisations joined the recruitment activities today to offer around 480 vacancies spanning a wide variety of positions, including restaurant manager, western cuisine cook, ramen shop staff, baking assistant and bartender of the catering industry as well as store manager, beauty consultant, health consultant and sales person of the retail industry. Job seekers of different education standards and experience levels are welcome to apply.

     "As the Government relaxed anti-epidemic measures and inbound requirements from end-2022, followed by full resumption of normal travel with the Mainland from February 6, 2023, a rebound in inbound tourism has been noted and manpower needs of the catering, retail and hotel industries have increased in the past two months. We are strengthening recruitment and employment services of these industries, including holding nearly 80 job fairs in the coming two months. We will also enhance collaboration with organisations, chambers, trade unions and training bodies to make every effort in recruitment, job matching and publicity, bringing employers and job seekers together," Mr Sun said.

     The LD will hold the Exploring New Opportunities Job Fair at MacPherson Stadium in Mong Kok on March 8 and 9, 2023, covering vacancies from the catering, retail and hotel industries. In addition, job centres across the territory will continue to hold thematic job fairs and step up job matching services at the district level. The LD will also set up street counters in various districts later to enhance publicity and introduce the Interactive Employment Service mobile application, which allows job seekers to search for suitable vacancies and receive updated employment information anytime and anywhere.

     The Recruitment Centre for the Catering Industry and the Recruitment Centre for the Retail Industry are located at 2/F, Treasury Building, 3 Tonkin Street West, Cheung Sha Wan (Exit A, Nam Cheong MTR Station). For enquiries, employers and job seekers may call the following hotlines:
 

Industry-based recruitment centres	Job seeker hotline	Employer hotline
Recruitment Centre for the Catering Industry	3847 7600	3847 7606
Recruitment Centre for the Retail Industry	3847 7611	3847 7616

Ends/Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Issued at HKT 16:33

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