The Development Bureau has approved applications from 20 works contracts involving a total of 4,680 quotas in the first round of applications under the Labour Importation Scheme for the Construction Sector.

It received applications for 26 works contracts during the application period, involving 5,251 labour importation quotas that cover skilled workers, technicians and site supervisory personnel.

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

They meet the contract value requirement of not less than $1 billion. The quotas approved fall within the 29 eligible trades of skilled workers and the 18 eligible disciplines of technicians and site supervisory personnel identified to be in shortage by the approving authority in consultation with relevant committees.

The remaining six applications were not successful as they could not meet the basic application requirements of the scheme, such as the application not being submitted by the principal contractor responsible for the contract concerned.

Together with the 800 quotas approved under the Supplementary Labour Scheme, a total of 5,480 quotas have so far been allotted under the Labour Importation Scheme for the Construction Sector.

The Development Bureau expects the imported labour to help alleviate the manpower shortage in the construction sector and support infrastructure development that will improve people's livelihood and the economy.

Together with the Construction Industry Council, the bureau said it will collaborate with the industry to implement multipronged measures including enhancing the training and recruitment of local labour and the wider adoption of innovative technologies in the construction sector.