The SUN HK : HK sets start of caregivers’ importation

18 May 2023

Labor Secretary Chris Sun takes close look at Filipino workers being trained on elderly care (file photo)

The government will start on June 19 the processing of applications to import caregivers who will be working in residential care homes (RCH) under the Special Scheme to Import Care Workers for Residential Care Homes.

The Social Welfare Department (SWD) is holding two online briefing sessions for the RCH sector today and tomorrow (May 18 and 19) to explain the application procedures and the implementation of the scheme.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE!

The latest preparations culminate a process that was spurred last January when Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Chris Sun, did a three-day visit to the Philippines to explain the Hong Kong government's plan to import 3,000 additional care workers for residential care homes.

Sun's talks with Philippine officials were followed by the SWD adopting the special scheme to meet the additional manpower requirements of the RCHs in the next few years, assist the sector in enhancing service quality, and alleviate the acute shortage of care workers in the sector.

Magkano? Pindutin ito!

The special scheme replaces the Supplementary Labour Scheme administered by the Labour Department, which previously processed applications for importation of care workers.

“On the premise of safeguarding the employment priority for local workers, the Special Scheme allows all RCHs for the elderly, RCHs for persons with disabilities and nursing homes to import care workers on an appropriate scale,” it added.

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RCHs for the elderly, RCHs for persons with disabilities and nursing homes may submit applications for quota to import care workers starting June 19.

“RCH operators who wish to apply for quota may do so on the SWD webpage through E-form or download the application form from the SWD webpage and submit the completed form together with the required documents in person or by post, to the Contract Management Section of the SWD,” it added.

Pindutin para sa detalye

During his Philippine trip, Sun paid courtesy calls on Secretary Susan Ople of the Department of Migrant Workers, Secretary of Labor and Employment, Bienvenido Laguesma, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo and the Officer-in-Charge of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Eduardo Punay.

His talks with the Philippine officials reportedly focused on strengthening the collaboration between the two governments on the protection of the rights and welfare of Filipino workers in Hong Kong.