Hong Kong’s Labour Department issued a notice on 22 September confirming that the final September briefing session for workers imported under the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS) is fully booked. Employers who signed contracts after 1 August must still arrange attendance within eight weeks of a worker’s arrival or risk breaching the standard employment contract. The ESLS allows companies facing acute manpower shortages—particularly in construction, elderly care and hospitality—to recruit non-resident workers when local supply is insufficient. Briefings cover employment rights, occupational safety and grievance procedures. Failure to send workers can result in suspension from the scheme and bar future applications. With the next available sessions not expected until mid-October, mobility managers bringing in overseas project staff should plan arrival dates accordingly or request an exceptional arrangement in writing. Companies hosting regional events during Golden Week have been reminded that imported hospitality workers must not be diverted to unapproved venues—even temporarily—without Immigration Department consent. The notice also clarifies that paid leave must be granted for briefing attendance and that employers should retain proof of participation for at least two years. Payroll and HR systems should therefore flag briefing deadlines automatically to avoid non-compliance. Multinationals expanding headcount under Hong Kong’s various talent schemes often overlook ESLS requirements when moving workers between affiliated entities. The latest reminder underscores the need for centralised tracking of all visa-linked contractual obligations.
Source: Labour Department
