Hong Kong is set to bring in as many as 20,000 non-local construction and transport workers to ease a manpower crunch in the sectors, the government announced on Tuesday.

Officials said a maximum of 12,000 construction workers will be allowed in, with priority given to those needed for public sector projects.

Up to 1,700 minibus and coach drivers will be recruited from outside the city. They'll have to pass a driving test before being allowed on the roads.

Meanwhile, up to 6,300 frontline airport staff, such as drivers and cabin crew, can be brought in.

Transport minister Lam Sai-hung said he believes the majority of the airport workers will continue to live on the mainland given the airport's proximity to the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, and cross-border transport will be arranged by the employers.

Officials said some of the construction workers would be able to live at the Yuen Long Tam Mei Community Isolation Facility.

Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong said he expects the 20,000 quota to be fully used up next year.

"We don't expect to fully utilise the quota in the first year, so it will be a progressive process. But we do believe that the quota might be fully utilised sometime next year," he said.

Wong also dismissed suggestions that the outside staff will put locals at a disadvantage, saying the non-local workers’ pay must not be lower than the median wage of their local counterparts.