According to sources, the Hong Kong government is exploring the possibility of importing minibus drivers to address the severe shortage of manpower in the industry. While some minibus trade unions expressed confidence in the skill of mainland drivers and deem the importation as necessary, others opposed the proposal and threatened with judicial reviews and strikes. Currently, there are regarding 3,300 green minibuses operating in Hong Kong, but the number of drivers is insufficient. The government plans to follow the special plan for the importation of caregivers in residential institutions and import foreign workers for the green minibus industry. The industry is estimated to lack around 1,600 drivers, and it is urgent to hire them. The Taxi and Minibus Chamber of Commerce supports the approach and recommends importing drivers from neighboring Shenzhen and other Greater Bay Areas in the first stage. However, some members questioned if the government’s decision to import drivers bypassed the LAB, and they recommended that the government should first examine human resources and training in the industry before considering importing foreign workers.
[Now News Channel]According to sources, the government is studying the importation of minibus drivers to solve the problem of manpower shortage. Some minibus trade unions described importing foreign workers as urgent, and they have confidence in the skills of mainland drivers; some minibus trade unions expressed their opposition, and judicial review and strikes were not ruled out.
At present, there are regarding 3,300 green minibuses operating in various districts. However, the number of minibus drivers is seriously insufficient. According to sources, the government plans to refer to the special plan for the importation of caregivers in residential institutions, and also import foreign workers for the green minibus industry.
The Taxi and Minibus Chamber of Commerce agrees with the approach. It is estimated that the industry is short of regarding 1,600 drivers. It is urgent to hire them. It is recommended to introduce drivers from neighboring Shenzhen and other Greater Bay Areas in the first stage.
Zhou Guoqiang, Chairman of the Hong Kong Taxi and Minibus Association: “I think (the salary of foreign workers) will definitely not be lower than that of the existing Hong Kong workers (salary). , the service provided is getting worse and worse.”
Zhou Guoqiang, Chairman of the Hong Kong Taxi and Minibus Merchants Association: “The fixed routes of green minibuses are repeated more than ten times a day, and they come and go for several streets. I think ordinary drivers adapt quickly. I have no doubts regarding their driving skills. Worry.”
However, the representative of the minibus driver believes that the driver must be very “familiar”, and it is not easy to be competent, and the salary in the industry is not good and the working hours are long, so there will be no drivers entering the industry. Judicial review and strikes.
Chen Fengyuan, director of the Public Light Bus Branch: “We can be said to be technical personnel. For example, the hourly wages of female dishwashing workers in Hong Kong are 65 to 70 yuan per hour, but our professional minibus drivers only earn more than 50 yuan, which is not even as good as a dishwashing woman. Who would entry?”
According to the Labor Department, drivers, clerks and hair stylists are generally not included in the positions that can import labor under the Supplementary Labor Scheme.
Some members questioned that if the government imports drivers, it will bypass the LAB.
Legislative Council member Lu Songxiong: “The process requires the agreement of labor and management to make a decision. It is not like the government and business circles decide to import foreign workers like a government-business party. This is something that our labor sector finds it difficult to accept.”
The industry recommends that the government first examine the human resources and training of the industry, before considering importing foreign workers as the last step.
#news
The shortage of minibus drivers in Hong Kong has raised concerns among trade unions and the government. While some view the importation of foreign drivers as an urgent solution, others have expressed their opposition, stating that it may compromise local job opportunities and that salary and working conditions in the industry are already subpar. The debate on this issue is ongoing, with some suggesting that the government first examine the resources and training of the industry before considering the importation of foreign labor. As the situation develops, it is important to consider the impact of potential solutions on both the industry and the local workforce.
