The managerial implications of labour importation in Hong Kong

Abstract

This article discusses the controversies surrounding the issue of labour importation, and then describes the development of the various labour importation schemes introduced over the years as well as its institutional arrangements and its gaps. The managerial implications of labour importation are examined, using the case study approach. Empirical evidence from the case studies show that labour importation could be a very resourceful input to organizational performance, but the contributions of import workers are limited by institutional factors. Because of these man‐made rigidities and inflexibilities, management makes little attempt to integrate the imported workers into the mainstream labour force. They are confined to the role of “peripheral” workers, but it is not because of any inherent disabilities. Rather it is due to employers’ response to social and political demands to marginalize the imported workers so as to prevent them from undercutting the local work force.

Citation

Lee, G.O.M. (1999), "The managerial implications of labour importation in Hong Kong", International Journal of Manpower, Vol. 20 No. 7, pp. 469-482. https://doi.org/10.1108/01437729910292257