Hong Kong Faces Severe Job Mismatch as 30,000-40,000 Unemployed Struggle to Re-enter Workforce
HK01 · 1 SOURCES1 day ago4 MIN
Summary
The Labour and Welfare Bureau's research division head Chan Kwok-fai (陳國輝) announced that job mismatch situations this year are more severe than in previous years, with 30,000 to 40,000 unemployed individuals finding it difficult to re-enter the labour market. The catering industry is particularly affected, as experienced Chinese chefs struggle to adapt to new roles. Meanwhile, some local workers perceive imported labour as stealing their jobs, though government sources explain this may stem from changing business models rather than direct competition.
Key Points
- Job mismatch affects 30,000-40,000 unemployed Hong Kong workers who cannot easily rejoin the workforce without retraining or attitude adjustments
- The proportion of unemployment lasting over 6 months has risen from 20% pre-pandemic to 30% this year, with experienced Chinese chefs and clerical workers most affected
- Chinese restaurant numbers have dropped 10% while Japanese restaurants and delivery platforms have grown; overall restaurant count only fell 1%
- Over half of laid-off catering workers are aged 45 and above, with seasoned chefs finding it difficult to transition to Japanese cuisine or food preparation roles
- Labour Department job fairs attract fewer than 5% of eligible candidates, mainly due to mismatches in working hours, pay, and job nature
Why It Matters
Hong Kong's working population is projected to decline from 3.47 million in 2025 to 3.4 million by 2028, with the 25-34 age group expected to drop by 64,000 within three years, making it urgent to address structural unemployment while managing imported labour carefully .
Hong Kong's working population is projected to decline from 3.47 million in 2025 to 3.4 million by 2028, with the 25-34 age group expected to drop by 64,000 within three years, making it urgent to address structural unemployment while managing imported labour carefully .