The Labour Department today announced that it has imposed an administrative sanction on a catering company for displacing local workers with imported workers, thereby violating the requirements of the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme.

With effect from August 27, the department has withdrawn approvals-in-principle for the importation of workers granted to Top One Dance Club & Chinese Cuisine O/B Top One Dance Club under the scheme.

In addition, the department will not process any applications to import workers submitted by the company for a period of two years.

At a media session today, Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun said the sanction is a combination of two measures to ensure that the Government sends a very strong signal to employers that they must comply with the scheme’s rules and requirements.

After receiving a complaint about the company, the Labour Department conducted an investigation and heard the employer’s explanation. It has come to the view that the complaint is substantiated by facts.

Mr Sun added that the Government will look into suggestions as to the exact terms of initiative sanctions in its coming review, including whether or not the maximum ban should be kept at two years, or lengthened to maintain its power in enforcing the requirements.