An undated photo shows a view of a room in the dormitory for imported workers in Tam Mei, Yuen Long, Hong Kong. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

Around 170 non-local construction workers have moved into a dormitory in Tam Mei, Yuen Long, which is designed to accommodate overseas workers imported under a government scheme. The local authorities have clarified that the dormitory is not managed in a closed or military-like fashion.

To ease the severe labor crunch, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government initiated a labor import scheme for the construction and transportation sectors, and is providing imported workers with dormitories.   

The Tam Mei dormitory was converted from a community quarantine facility. It was opened in October and can accommodate up to 7,000 people.

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According to Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho, over 4,600 applications were approved in the first phase of the labor import scheme for the construction sector. More workers will arrive once various procedures have been completed. 

When asked whether the imported workers would be allowed to participate in private construction projects, Linn said the current labor import scheme will mostly serve the needs of public projects

It is projected that the dormitory will reach capacity by mid-2024. The government is closely monitoring the situation and is seeking to identify any additional locations that may be suitable to serve as dormitories. It may also consider using mobile cabin facilities to serve as dormitories.

Linn clarified that the dormitory is not managed in a closed or militarized manner, and workers are free to engage in their own daily activities during their leisure time.

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“In fact, the so-called management primarily involves keeping a record of the workers’ return to the dormitory after work or meals,” she explained. “For instance, if there are hundreds of workers planning to go shopping at a nearby shopping mall during the weekend, the contractors will need to arrange transportation at different time intervals to manage the traffic flow."

An undated photo shows a general view of the dormitory for imported workers in Tam Mei, Yuen Long, Hong Kong. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

In addition to providing accommodation, the dormitory also offers recreational facilities, pantry areas, laundry rooms and medical services. Hong Kong’s Construction Industry Council, which has renovated and manages the Tam Mei dormitory, is also in close contact with the employers of the workers in order to meet their needs, according to Linn. 

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Some contractors are considering providing dormitories on the Chinese mainland for imported workers and arranging for the workers to commute between Hong Kong and the mainland every day. Linn added that this is not a prevailing trend currently.

When asked whether the imported workers would be allowed to participate in private construction projects, Linn said the current labor import scheme will mostly serve the needs of public projects. But after the demand from public projects has been eased, the remaining workforce in Hong Kong will be able to alleviate the demand for workers on private projects, she added. 

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The Construction Industry Council conducts annual forecasts of construction manpower needs, projecting five years into the future. According to a February forecast, Hong Kong’s construction industry is expected to face labor shortages every year for the next five years. 

Linn said the labor import scheme has a quota ceiling of 12,000 construction workers, which falls short of the forecast manpower needs.

"We must address the remaining labor shortage by implementing measures such as local training and recruitment, as well as leveraging technology," said Linn.