The approval process for the third round of application under the Labour Importation Scheme for the Transport Sector - Aviation Industry has been completed. The Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB) issued letters today (April 16) to all applicants on the application results.

     The application period for the third round of application under the Scheme was from March 18 to 31. A total of 34 companies eligible for quota application (eligible companies) submitted applications within the period, involving 3 292 labour importation quotas covering all 10 job types under the Scheme. After assessment by the interdepartmental liaison group comprising representatives from the TLB, the Labour Department and the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), the Permanent Secretary for Transport and Logistics approved the applications from 34 companies involving a total of 2 206 quotas, representing all the unused quotas after the first two rounds of applications. In vetting and allocating the quotas, the group has taken into consideration all relevant factors such as the business development needs of the applicants and the requirements of the Scheme (including the requirements of the manning ratio of local staff to imported labour and the conduct of local recruitment).  

     The results with a breakdown by job type of the third round of application are at the Annex.

     Under the Scheme, approved eligible companies have to pay the AAHK $400 per month for each worker imported, while the AAHK will contribute a lump sum in an amount of the same magnitude as the total amount paid by applicants. As driven by the Government and co-ordinated by the AAHK, the relevant payments will continue to be used for subsidising the transportation costs of the local frontline staff responsible for airport operation.

     The TLB and the AAHK will continue to engage in regular meetings with the stakeholder consultative group to listen to the views of stakeholders on the Scheme. They will continue to enhance information dissemination through the consultative group in order to facilitate the smooth implementation and execution of the Scheme. 

     Upon the conclusion of the third round of application, all 6 300 quotas under the Scheme have been approved. The TLB will announce the way forward of the Scheme, including the arrangements on the expiry of imported workers' employment contracts, in due course.

     Premised on safeguarding the employment of local labour, the Scheme was introduced in July 2023 to allow the aviation industry to suitably import labour with a view to relieving the acute manpower shortage and supporting the continual development of Hong Kong's aviation industry. After the first two rounds of applications, 4 094 quotas have been used, covering all 10 job types under the Scheme.  

Ends/Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Issued at HKT 18:00

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