Hong Kong has confirmed a manpower development plan for the textiles and clothing industry, which involves importation of skilled workers.

Under the plan, employers have to adhere to a fixed recruitment ratio of local workers to imported workers. In essence, the ratios for the garment sector will range from 1:1 to 1:4 whereas the ratio for the knitwear industry will be 1:4.

The employer should also pay the local workers a basic daily wage ranging from HK$200 to HK$235 for each working day plus remuneration calculated on the basis of piece-rate beyond the threshold of work done for the basic wage. Local workers will also be guaranteed a minimum total remuneration over every 26-week period, ranging from HK$24,000 to HK$27,000.

For imported workers, they will receive monthly wages ranging from HK$4,000 to HK$4,500 calculated on the same basis as local workers.

According to Hong Kong's Secretary for Economic Development & Labor Stephen Ip, it is expected the first batch of imported workers will come to Hong Kong in May.

While the scheme will be reviewed annually, a comprehensive review will be undertaken when the number of imported workers approved reaches 5,000, he added.

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