The Labour Importation Scheme for the Construction Sector will be open for applications starting July 17, the Development Bureau announced today.

With a quota ceiling of 12,000, the scheme specifies 29 trades of skilled workers and 18 positions of technicians and site supervisory personnel, for which the importation of labour is allowed.

Additionally, public sector construction works contracts with a contract value of no less than $1 billion will be accorded priority.

Apart from noting that principal contractors concerned may submit applications, for themselves or on behalf of their sub-contractors, for importing skilled workers, technicians and site supervisory personnel, the bureau pointed out that such imported labour must fall under the scheme’s eligible trades and disciplines.

Applicants must also conduct local recruitment no more than four months preceding their submission of applications, in accordance with the employment terms specified by the Government and at a salary not lower than the prevailing median wages.

Furthermore, applications should only be filed after a confirmation is made through local recruitment that sufficient local manpower cannot be employed.

Applicants should submit their completed form together with the required documents to the bureau between July 17 and August 16. The application results will be issued to applicants within two months from the application’s closing date.

Subsequent applications will be accepted on a quarterly basis and the second application period will be from October 1 to 31.

The bureau will organise a briefing session for the construction sector tomorrow to introduce the scheme's application procedures and operational details.

For enquiries, call the hotline at 3199 7128.