“Going to Hong Kong for work” is becoming one of the hottest workplace topics today. Since last year, Hong Kong has been facing a severe labor shortage, particularly in industries such as construction, catering, and caregiving. Messages like “dishwashers earning 20,000 yuan per month, delivery drivers earning 30,000 yuan per month, construction workers earning 2,600 yuan per day” have reached the ears of young people on the mainland who are struggling to find employment, igniting their desire to go to Hong Kong to work and make money.
However, working in Hong Kong requires overcoming a significant hurdle—the need to obtain a legal identity to enter the city. Many people turn to intermediaries for help, but some end up being scammed out of a substantial amount of money. Others find themselves at a dead end, resorting to the risky option of working illegally. Upon arriving in Hong Kong, they realize that “it’s easy to make money in Hong Kong, but it’s hard to take any back home.”
Fortunately, Hong Kong is also opening its arms and lowering the requirements for attracting high-level talent to the city. However, when it comes to importing foreign labor, the situation remains uncertain, with no substantial policy implementation. Many people are still waiting, while others have already seen through the glamorous illusion on the other side of Victoria Harbor, knowing that they will still face the harsh realities of life.
