Property management sector cites 25% guard shortage amid imported labour backlash

Industry leaders defend cross-border recruitment in Hong Kong as ‘necessary’ amid shortage, but critics say import scheme may sideline locals

Industry leaders from Hong Kong’s property management sector have said a security staff shortfall of up to 25 per cent persists, as they defended a major housing estate’s recruitment of one-third of its guards from across the border.

The owners’ corporation of Richland Gardens in Kowloon Bay has come under fire after announcing on social media last week that 31 guards from mainland China would be hired through a government labour scheme.

The scheme allows firms to import low-skilled workers if they are unable to recruit locally.

The move drew criticism from a labour sector lawmaker and social media users, many of whom were concerned that migrant workers would take away local job opportunities.

Some users questioned whether the estate had genuinely struggled to recruit local guards or whether the pay on offer had been unattractive.

However, the owners’ corporation told the South China Morning Post that the recruitment was “necessary”, as the estate had faced a shortage of security staff for at least four years.