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Hong Kong to admit only a few hundred foreign elder carers yearly
The pilot requires carers to have skills equivalent to those of Hong Kong care home health workers, with training accredited through a recognized local organization.
Hong Kong plans to admit only a few hundred skilled foreign domestic carers for elderly residents each year under a new pilot scheme, the citys welfare minister said. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said authorities will take a rigorous approach in the initial phase due to concerns about possible disruptions to the existing helper market, according to SCMP Economy.
Sun also said the selected carers would need skills equivalent to those required of health workers in Hong Kong care homes for the elderly. Authorities will engage a recognized Hong Kong organization to accredit training provided by institutions in carers home countries, SCMP Economy reported.
Speaking during a Legislative Council meeting, Sun characterized the program as a pilot and said there was mixed reaction after the scheme was announced, with some people supportive and others worried about market impact. He said officials will remain strict as the pilot begins.