The government also plans to provide F&B businesses an additional tranche of subsidies under the Anti-Epidemic Fund.
This is part of Hong Kong’s Job Creation Scheme, which aims to create 30,000 temporary jobs in the public and private sectors over the next two years.
Hong Kong’s jobless rate climbed to 7.2% in the December-to-February period, up 0.2 percentage points from the November-to-January period.
About 180,000 Hongkongers who were unemployed for at least two months since the start of last year will also be eligible to apply for low-interest loans.
Unemployment will plague Hong Kong for years ahead, and that it may take more than three years for the jobless rate to fall below 5%.
As the restrictions on businesses ease in Hong Kong, testing centres for COVID-19 are stretched to the max due to mandatory testing.
The minister said that it would be tricky to draw the line for when the scheme should stop, and urged that public policy needs to be fair.
While unemployment is severe among the lower class, middle-level occupations have also been badly hit by unemployment.
The basic subsidy for low-income families, once relaxed, would benefit around 24,000 more underemployed households.
The decision was made after a review from government officials, academics and business representatives showed majority consensus.
The government’s intervention and support are crucial in the early stage of innovation and tech development, says city financial chief.
Labour minister Law Chi-Kwong said the proposal to gradually increase the number of statutory holidays from 12 to 17 by 2030 is “most acceptable”.
Hong Kong's government is offering companies a grant of HK$10,000 (US$1,290) for each recent college graduate they employ.
He expects Hong Kong to ride on Beijing’s five-year plan to stimulate domestic growth, which aims to achieve independence in science and tech.
The Legislative Council has approved the latest round of COVID-19 relief subsidies of HK$5.5 billion (US$709 million).
The maternity leave pay is to be calculated at four-fifths the daily average of the wages earned by the employee.
Chief executive Carrie Lam has announced sweeping measures to stop the spread of COVID-19, ordering all government employees to work from home (WFH).
The HK$5,000 (US$645) handout will only cover residents such as freelancers, taxi drivers, and the self-employed.
HK Express has requested all 200 of its pilots to sign new contracts with further cuts in salaries and allowances of up to 40%.
The company that handles ground services for the Hong Kong International Airport will axe 340 staff from next month.
The extension by the Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation (HKMC) comes amid rising unemployment and recession due to COVID-19.
The Hong Kong carrier announced it will be changing the contracts of its pilots and cabin crew as part of its restructuring exercise.
Despite the lowest increment in a decade, Hong Hong employees can look forward to a slight pay rise next year.
The Hong Kong carrier is also planning to make changes to the contracts of its pilots and cabin crew as part of its restructuring.
New measures by the Hong Kong government include the raising of loan caps for SMEs, as well as an extended repayment period.
Hong Kong continues to grapple with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with its recovery threatened by a third wave of infection.
Hong Kong's unemployment rate eased slightly, likely helped by the newly launched government wage subsidy.
Digital transformation needs to be a carefully thought-out process with an organisation’s people at the core, says Workday.
10 million small businesses across Asia-Pacific will participate in Visa’s global programme designed to meet demand for cashless payments.
The latest survey also shows that more than eight in 10 Hong Kong employees are concerned about job security this year.
