2 factors exacerbating the labour shortage in HK's transport and logistics sector

The job vacancy rate in the sectors has become 2.4x higher than pre-COVID.

The ageing population and the outflow of local young people are exacerbating labour shortages in Hong Kong's transportation and logistics sector, particularly in the public transport and civil aviation, according to a QBE Asia report.

In Hong Kong, job vacancy rates in the transport and logistics sector have become 1.9x higher than pre-COVID levels.

Of Singapore's total employment, the transport and logistics sector only accounts for 6.0% or 163,000 people.

"The labour shortage comes at a time when Hong Kong is expected to see surging demands of international personnel and cargo travelling through 2023-24," QBE Asia said.

Whilst the government has planned to introduce over 8,000 skilled foreign workers later this year for positions such as bus drivers and airport staff, 

QBE Asia said, "pushback from local labour organisations could limit the government’s ability to significantly increase the number of foreign workers in the short term."