A recent survey has shown that the wholesale and retail industries are facing significant challenges in terms of human resources. According to a report by Ming Pao JUMP's job enrichment column, the survey results indicate that nearly 85% of the interviewed wholesale or retail businesses reported a long-term shortage of manpower. Among them, 32.6% of companies lacked 11% to 20% of employees, while 22.2% of companies were short by as much as 21% to 30% of employees. This phenomenon has posed considerable difficulties for the operations of the industry.
Nevertheless, Shiu Ka-fai emphasized that safeguarding the employment of local workers is a top priority. However, the wholesale and retail industry still has a significant demand for manpower, and the shortage of personnel and increased costs will hinder the industry's and even the overall economy's recovery. This has made the introduction of foreign labor a widely discussed option.
The article also mentioned that frontline vacancies in department store chains already account for 20% of the total number of employees. Some branches have only one staff member on duty, while others have had to shorten their operating hours or terminate their contracts due to a shortage of manpower. This further highlights the urgency and severity of the manpower shortage issue.
In the face of this situation, the government and relevant stakeholders need to engage in in-depth discussions and evaluations to find the best solution that balances local employment needs and industry development. In addition to introducing foreign labor, exploring better training and development opportunities to attract more local talents to the wholesale and retail industry can also be considered.
Nevertheless, Shiu Ka-fai emphasized that safeguarding the employment of local workers is a top priority. However, the wholesale and retail industry still has a significant demand for manpower, and the shortage of personnel and increased costs will hinder the industry's and even the overall economy's recovery. This has made the introduction of foreign labor a widely discussed option.
The article also mentioned that frontline vacancies in department store chains already account for 20% of the total number of employees. Some branches have only one staff member on duty, while others have had to shorten their operating hours or terminate their contracts due to a shortage of manpower. This further highlights the urgency and severity of the manpower shortage issue.
In the face of this situation, the government and relevant stakeholders need to engage in in-depth discussions and evaluations to find the best solution that balances local employment needs and industry development. In addition to introducing foreign labor, exploring better training and development opportunities to attract more local talents to the wholesale and retail industry can also be considered.
