The 2025 Policy Address in Hong Kong outlines several key initiatives aimed at enhancing labor protections, workforce competitiveness, and economic growth, with direct implications for HR professionals and businesses.
Among the highlights is the introduction of the first Statutory Minimum Wage (SMW) rate under a new annual review mechanism, set to take effect from May 1, 2026, ensuring more frequent adjustments to reflect economic conditions.
In the food and beverage sector, the local recruitment period for importing workers like waiters and junior cooks via the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS) has been extended from four to six weeks starting September 18, 2025, with mandatory attendance at Labour Department job fairs and stricter manning ratios to prioritize local hiring.
For digital platform workers, new legislation will bolster work injury compensation, while a Tripartite Committee addresses industry concerns to foster fairer conditions in the gig economy.
Talent attraction efforts are ramped up, including enhanced policies for technical professionals, promotion of industry-academic collaborations through the Innovation and Technology Talents Exchange Scheme, and partnerships with European aeronautic and pharmaceutical companies to create jobs in aviation and clinical trials.
Additionally, the enrolment cap for self-financing non-local students rises to 50% from 2026/27, aiming to build a diverse talent pool.
Other measures support SMEs with financing extensions and utility reductions, while AI initiatives like HK$3bn for research and HK$1bn for an AI institute signal job growth in tech.
Reforms to the Employees Retraining Board will improve skills training, and increased funding for women's empowerment and family-friendly policies, such as extended child allowances and new childcare centers, aim to boost workforce participation and address low birth rates.
These steps underscore the government's commitment to reform and innovation for a resilient economy.
Source - Human Resources Online