Labour head says elder care foreign helpers won't compete with locals

The Policy Address has proposed importing foreign domestic carers specialising in elder care.

Speaking on a TVB programme, Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun says the scheme will be launched as early as the second half of next year.

Sun says the scheme will start on a limited scale, bringing in a few hundred carers initially.

Sun explains candidates must complete a government-recognised training course in their home countries and pass an exam before arriving in Hong Kong.

The course will take at least 150 hours to complete.

Even domestic helpers currently working in the city will have to return home to undergo the training if they wish to apply.

Sun stresses these foreign carers will still handle basic housework, but will earn 10% to 20% more than regular helpers.

He adds since they will work strictly in a domestic setting, they will not compete with local healthcare workers for jobs.