The Labour & Welfare Bureau will amend the Employees Retraining Ordinance, proposing to suspend the collection of the Employees Retraining Levy for two years.

The measure aims to alleviate the financial burden of employers of foreign domestic helpers and other imported workers.

It will be applicable to all visas granted by the Immigration Department between September 1, 2008 and August 31, 2010, including renewal of existing contracts and signing of new contracts.

Employers who do not benefit immediately will be able to enjoy the suspension when they renew contracts or sign new contracts at any time during the suspension period.

For visas granted before September 1, 2008, employers should continue to pay the levy until the end of the existing contracts.