Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS)

Introduction of ESLS

Employers can apply to bring in workers at the technician level or below to fill vacancies for which they genuinely struggle to find suitable local candidates.

Each employer must conduct a four-week local recruitment effort for each vacancy they wish to fill. During this time, the Labour Department (LD) will actively match job seekers to these vacancies and refer suitable candidates for interviews.

After the recruitment exercise, the LD will consult members of the Labour Advisory Board (LAB) to gather their opinions on the recommendations made by the LD. Following a thorough review of all relevant factors, including LAB feedback, the LD will decide whether to approve or reject each application.

The employment contract for workers brought in under the ESLS cannot exceed 24 months. Imported workers must be paid at least the median monthly wages of local employees in comparable roles. They will be engaged under a Standard Employment Contract (SEC) and receive the same protections under Hong Kong's labor laws as local workers.

Imported workers are permitted to work only for their designated employers and in the positions specified in the SEC. They must return to their home country upon the expiration of their contracts.

Employers found to have violated relevant laws (including the Employment Ordinance, Employees’ Compensation Ordinance, Immigration Ordinance, and occupational safety and health regulations) or the requirements of the ESLS or SEC will face administrative sanctions, including withdrawal of approval to import labor. Such employers may also be barred from participating in the scheme for up to two years.

Approval to import workers is not automatically renewed. Employers wishing to continue employing imported workers after their contracts expire must submit a new application to the LD in advance.

Successful employers are required to pay a levy to the Employees Retraining Board to support training and retention efforts for local workers. The levy is $400 per imported worker for each month covered by the SEC, up to a maximum of 24 months. It will be collected after approval for importing workers and before the issuance of a visa/entry permit by the Director of Immigration. The levy is non-refundable under any circumstances.