Travelers walk by others waiting at the departures hall at Hong Kong International Airport in Hong Kong, Feb 10, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

HONG KONG – Hong Kong labor and transport authorities approved on Monday the importation of nearly 3,000 workers to ease the manpower shortage in the city's aviation industry.

The Transport and Logistics Bureau, the Labour Department, the Airport Authority Hong Kong, and Permanent Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan approved the requests of 28 companies to import 2,841 aviation workers during the first round of applications, according to a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government statement.

The number of applications approved represents 45 percent of the quota ceiling of 6,300 set under the Labour Importation Scheme for the Transport Sector - Aviation Industry

The number of applications approved represents 45 percent of the quota ceiling of 6,300 set under the Labour Importation Scheme for the Transport Sector - Aviation Industry, it added.

ALSO READ: Labor import: CE stresses ‘bigger pie’ for economic benefits

One application was not approved as the wage intended to be offered was lower than the median wage of the corresponding job type.

The approved applications included those for 719 passenger services officers, 445 ramp services agents, 366 cabin workers, 390 aircraft maintenance technicians and mechanics, 306 tractor drivers, 206 warehouse operators and cargo handlers, 193 equipment and loader operators, 90 customer services agents, 30 aircraft tug drivers, and 86 maintenance technicians.

“We hope that imported labor will receive training and work in Hong Kong soon, with a view to relieving the acute manpower shortage in the aviation industry and supporting the continual recovery of the industry,” a TLB spokesman was quoted as saying in the statement.

“The TLB and the AAHK will continue to listen to the views of the group on matters relating to the Scheme and closely monitor its implementation," he added.

READ MORE: Hong Kong to import 20,000 workers to ease labor woes

The TLB will announce the details of the second round of applications under the program in due course, according to the statement.