Permanent Secretary for Economic Development & Labour Matthew Cheung says the recently released manpower development plan for the textiles and clothing industry is a win-win scheme benefiting workers, employers and the community.

Speaking on a radio talk show today, Mr Cheung said the plan will boost job opportunities for 20,000 workers and the industry's development.

To protect local jobs, employers will undergo a two-week recruitment exercise to fill the required percentage of vacancies before approval to import workers will be granted.

The exercise will be co-ordinated by a recruitment and training centre to be formed by the Clothing Industry Training Authority in Lai King at the end of the month. Employers are free to recruit local workers through their own channels.

Stringent monitoring

Stringent monitoring will be enforced to prevent employers abusing the scheme. These include setting up a complaint hotline, inspection of lists of local workers and their wage records, regular inspections, and close liaison with labour unions.

Mr Cheung said when processing applications from employers, their past records will be scrutinised to see if the applicants laid off staff in the past six months.

A review on the scheme's effectiveness will be held when the number of imported workers reaches 5,000.