****************************************************
In response to the concerns expressed by a labour union today (January 29) regarding two applications under the Supplementary Labour Scheme (SLS) and the related media enquiries, a Government spokesman has replied as follows:
In processing the applications under the SLS, the Labour Department (LD) has all along been respecting the Labour Advisory Board (LAB) mechanism. There is no question of bypassing the LAB.
The LD has all along been adopting a stringent approach in vetting applications for labour importation to ensure priority of employment for local workers and to safeguard their employment rights and benefits. As specifically for the two applications concerned, on completion of screening and analysis LD is inviting comments from LAB members. LD will carefully and thoroughly consider the comments of LAB members. If there is no common view, LD will examine the cases one more time.
Ends/Friday, January 29, 2016
Issued at HKT 21:36
NNNN