A new by-law to regulate the import of labour is being drafted and should be introduced in the first half of this year, after consultation and revision. This was disclosed today by the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen. Speaking after a meeting of the Human Resources Development Council, Mr Tam said the new legislation would replace regulations introduced in 1988. He stressed that the new by-law would be drafted along the principle of safeguarding the interests of the local workforce, he said.