A panoramic view of the third runway at Hong Kong International Airport. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG – Hong Kong authorities have approved the importation of over 4,600 workers to ease the manpower shortage in the city's construction sector.

Permanent Secretary for Development (Works) Ricky Ir Lau Chun-kit approved the applications from 20 works contracts involving a total of 4,680 quotas, according to a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government statement.

The approved trades mainly include refrigeration/air-conditioning/ventilation mechanics, fire service mechanics, cement sand mortar workers, woodworkers, and bar benders and fixers

"We expect that the imported labour approved to work in Hong Kong would alleviate the shortage of manpower in the construction sector and support infrastructure development that will improve people's livelihood and the economy,” a Development Bureau spokesman was quoted as saying in the statement.

He said the DEVB and the Construction Industry Council will continue to collaborate with the industry, including labor unions, to implement multipronged measures including enhancing the training and recruitment of local labor.

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All of the 20 works contracts approved are public sector construction works, including those related to the Three-Runway System of Hong Kong International Airport and its expansion, hospital development, waste management and sewage facilities, road construction and other building projects.

The approved trades mainly include refrigeration/air-conditioning/ventilation mechanics, fire service mechanics, cement sand mortar workers, woodworkers, and bar benders and fixers.

Together with the 800 quotas previously approved under the Supplementary Labour Scheme, a total of 5,480 quotas have been allotted under the Labour Importation Scheme for the Construction Sector so far. The labor importation program has a quota ceiling of 12,000.

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The DEVB announced the program in June to, on the prerequisite of safeguarding the employment of local labor, address the shortage of skilled workers, technicians and site supervisory personnel in the construction industry.