[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Is Hong Kong\u2019s New Talent Scheme Solving Its Labour Problems? ” text_orientation=”center” header_fullscreen=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”#000000″ title_font_size=”32px” content_text_color=”#000000″ subhead_font=”||||||||” subhead_text_align=”center” subhead_font_size=”24px” background_color=”#FC9569″ background_image=”https:\/\/jmsc6110a.com\/capstone2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/talent-scheme-header-new.jpg” title_text_shadow_style=”preset1″ content_text_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
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By Susan Su Xuan & Iris Rong<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”50%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
I<\/span>n early February, Vivian Ma, a 33-year-old mother of two, learned about Hong Kong\u2019s newest talent attraction scheme from her college alumni online chat group.<\/span><\/p>\n A graduate from Sun Yat-sen University \u2013a first-tier mainland university \u2013 with nearly seven years of working experience, Ma found herself easily fitting the bill. She didn\u2019t know much about Hong Kong and had no immediate plan to relocate either.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI just think it is a good opportunity, and gave it a try out of convenience,\u201d Ma said.<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>Top Talent Pass Scheme<\/span><\/a> (TTPS), launched by the Hong Kong government last October, targets well-skilled high-earners and degree-holders from the world\u2019s top 100 universities.<\/span> Successful applicants would be granted an unconditional two-year visa in Hong Kong without even having to secure a job offer first.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ma, an administrative staff member at a renewable energy company, lives with her husband and two kids of eight and two respectively, in Wuhan, Central China. The couple is expecting another child this summer. Initially, she planned to give birth to her third child in Hong Kong after obtaining the visa. However, after some consideration, she changed her mind and decided to stay in the mainland.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/jmsc6110a.com\/capstone2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Talent-Scheme-1-scaled.jpg” title_text=”Talent Scheme 1″ admin_label=”Image 1″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”40px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Caption” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-20px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Central is considered the business district of Hong Kong. (Credit: Safiullah Ahmadzai)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”30px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \u201cMost of my alumni, including myself, had little knowledge about Hong Kong before we applied for this scheme. We all have a stable and comfortable life here in the mainland. Why should we move to Hong Kong? We were just testing the water.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Though many mainland Chinese people applied for the scheme, not many actually come to Hong Kong.<\/span><\/p>\n According to the <\/span>data<\/span><\/a> released on May 13 by Chris Sun Yuk-han, the secretary for labour and welfare, the Hong Kong government has received approximately 27,000 applications for TTPS over the past six months. He also mentioned that two thirds of applicants were from the mainland, and a notable number of overseas applicants also have a mainland background. Currently, around 17,000 applications have been approved. Among those 10,000 applicants who have successfully obtained a visa, half of them have already come to Hong Kong.<\/span><\/p>\n However, the new scheme has also been under scrutiny and criticism since its launch for its lack of immigration preparation services, which includes job hunting and living checklists.<\/span><\/p>\n The easy application process \u2013 which usually takes about four weeks \u2013 has apparently nudged many to apply even though they do not have plans to move to Hong Kong, let alone join its labour force or contribute to the city\u2019s economy.<\/span> After successfully obtaining the visa, a lot of them hesitate to relocate to Hong Kong. Some of them are even taking advantage of the scheme to attain the city\u2019s entry permits for various other purposes other than employment.<\/span><\/p>\n Designed to stem the financial hub\u2019s record brain drain and boost its competitive edge in the global competition for top talent, the scheme hasn\u2019t been able to attract the sort of talent it most needs: professionals with rich working experiences. Under the booming application number, the actual effectiveness of the scheme to fill the labour shortage has been called into doubt.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/jmsc6110a.com\/capstone2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Talent-Scheme-2-Crowded-place-scaled.jpg” title_text=”Talent Scheme 2 (Crowded place)” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”40px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Caption” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-20px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \u00a0People are walking across a pedestrian bridge in central Hong Kong Island. (Credit: Safiullah Ahmadzai)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”30px||30px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \u201cWe cannot judge whether the scheme is successful or not by merely looking at the number of applicants, but rather to see whether the size of the workforce can return to its previous level,\u201d said Professor Chong Tai Leung, Associate Head of New Asia College and Associate Professor of Economics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.<\/span><\/p>\n Describing the government’s new talent scheme as \u201cineffective\u201d, Professor Chong said that the government\u2019s approach to solve the city\u2019s labour loss problem is not well-thought-out, as lowering the entrance standards to attract talent is obviously far from enough. It\u2019s an act of policy expediency but not conducive to a long-term solution.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIn fact, the government introducing this new scheme is like handing in homework just for the sake of it, while not caring much about the final grade \u2013 the outcome,\u201dChong said. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Labour Shortage” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”50%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”32px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”10px||30px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n H<\/span>ong Kong is facing a dire shortage of skilled labour. The unstable political environment, mass protests, followed by the strict covid-19 regulations, resulted in a huge wave of population outflow.\u00a0 According to <\/span>Census and Statistics Department\u2019s data<\/span><\/a> released on April 3, Hong Kong\u2019s labour force dropped 2.4 percent year on year in 2022, which is a loss of 94,000 workers. This percentage dip made a record for the largest drop since 1985. Among them, the group aged 25 to 29 became the majority, contributing to a total of 28,200.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nLabour Shortage<\/b><\/h1>\n