Hong Kong workers urged to take retraining courses as 2 more restaurants to close

Hong Kong authorities have urged workers to take retraining courses to join sectors short of staff as two more restaurants announced their coming closure, with officials saying that halting the importation of labour will not improve the job market.

Undersecretary for Labour and Welfare Ho Kai-ming made the call on Saturday after Star Seafood and Roasted Goose Restaurant at Chuk Yuen Plaza in Wong Tai Sin announced that it would shut down next month.

“The Labour Department has received workers’ requests for help. We will take a look at their demands, and find the employer to handle it if it involves unpaid wages,” he said, adding that not many months of unpaid salaries were involved.

Ho also dismissed unions’ calls to suspend the importation of labour, arguing that the move would not help improve the unemployment situation. Instead, he appealed to workers to enrol in Employees Retraining Board courses to join industries, such as the elderly care sector, which were short of staff.

“This is a structural change that we have to face. Suspending importing workers will not make the unemployment situation any better,” he said.

“Those in need can undergo retraining and join industries that need more manpower.”