Editorial | Hong Kong talent scheme’s success cannot be taken for granted
- A recruitment fair has highlighted concerns about Hong Kong’s high cost of living and the language barrier. These must be addressed if the city is to attract the world’s best
The aggressive trawl for global talent by the government was touted as a lifeline for Hong Kong’s worrying brain drain and floundering economy.
But it seems that many who have arrived under a new admission scheme are still looking for their lifebuoy in the unsettled job market, as reflected in a recent news report on a recruitment fair. The effectiveness of the policy must not be taken for granted.
The crowded scene at the event held by the Hong Kong Top Talent Services Association is telling in itself. The good news is that more than 3,000 job offers from 348 companies in banking, insurance and technology were up for grabs, with monthly salaries ranging from HK$25,000 to HK$100,000.
But jobseekers told the Post that there were still hurdles to overcome, referring to employers’ preference for proficiency in Cantonese and the city’s high cost of living.
When the government swung open the door in late 2022 amid an ongoing exodus fuelled by the Covid-battered economy and changing political environment, hopes were high that the Top Talent Pass Scheme could help the city regain its footing for a faster recovery.
While the numbers – 70,000 applications so far – are impressive, the actual economic and social dividends remain a subject of debate.
