Hong Kong transport operators apply to import 1,600 mainland Chinese minibus and coach drivers as scheme opens
- Labour Importation Scheme for transport sector receives 118 applications in public light bus and coach category
- Spokesman says it will take about a month for imported drivers to complete training, take pre-employment courses and pass driving tests
Hong Kong’s transport authority revealed on Wednesday that industry players had applied to import 1,600 mainland Chinese minibus and coach drivers, accounting for 94 per cent of a quota granted under a government scheme to bring in workers.
The authorities said a cross-departmental group composed of representatives from the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the Transport Department and the Labour Department would review the applications. The work was expected to be completed in late September.
The Transport and Logistics Bureau revealed that the Labour Importation Scheme for the sector had received 118 applications in the public light bus and coach category from holders of passenger service operator licences to import about 1,600 drivers.
“Without affecting local driving tests, the Transport Department will provide additional test slots depending on the number of candidates, aiming to conduct driving tests for imported drivers in batches as soon as possible,” a spokesman said.
The government’s initiative to ease staffing problems in the city’s construction, aviation and transport sectors seeks to bring in 20,000 workers.
