The Labour Department on Friday said it has imposed administrative sanctions on a restaurant for abusing a programme allowing firms to recruit workers from outside the city for low-skilled positions.

The decision came after Top One Dance Club & Chinese Cuisine was found to have dismissed locals after hiring outside workers under the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme.

The company has been banned from applying to bring in outside employees for two years.

Labour chief Chris Sun said the company currently has 11 imported employees, who are allowed to keep working there.

But if those workers switch jobs, the company will not be allowed to find replacements from outside the city.

Sun didn’t reveal how many locals were dismissed by the firm, saying this is to the protect their privacy.

He also said he believes the penalty serves as a strong deterrent for other firms.

“We send a very, very strong signal to employers that they must comply with the rules and requirements of the scheme,” he said.

“Of course, in the coming review, we also look into suggestions over the exact terms of administrative sanctions, including whether or not the maximum ban should be kept at two years or should it be further lengthened in order to maintain its power in enforcing the rules of the scheme.”

A review of the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme is expected to be completed in the first half of next year.