COVID-19 has affected employment and job security but with post-pandemic Macau finally becoming more accessible to visitors again, The Macau Post Daily interviewed four non-resident workers (NRW) to get their opinions on the city’s improving situation, their job security and their recent experiences while working.
The interviews took place around Rotunda de Carlos da Maia, commonly known as the Three Lamps area.
A positive and a negative side
Kei, who works in a restaurant, noted that there is a positive and a negative side to Macau’s current situation.
The 28-year-old remarked she thought that the economy is beginning to improve, while employers are happier as there are now more business opportunities, opening the door also for new opportunities “for people, especially for non-resident workers, to come here again and work”.
Kei also talked about some of the challenges she faced since the restaurant she works for started receiving more customers. “On my part as an employee, it is difficult because it [Macau] just suddenly reopened and we were not ready, especially those businesses that only have a few staff. There’s a burden on us to work really hard”, citing the need to work overtime, while others may have to cancel their days-off.
In terms of job security, she noted she believes that it’s more stable now than before. “Now, there’s an assurance that we [NRWs] can stay because they need us due to the amount of the work”. However, she learnt throughout the pandemic that it’s important to have always a back-up plan in case of dismissal.
‘For my kids’
Jun, who works in housekeeping in one of the city’s resort hotels, said that he was glad to see things picking up again. He noted that there is even a noticeable difference in casinos, which had previously looked deserted.
However, thinking that things would not be getting back to normal, he decided that he would be leaving Macau to work in Canada, noting that he would be doing it for his two young kids. “I don’t regret it because it is for my kids. Their future will be better”.
He added that if he wasn’t thinking of his kids, he would be happy to stay in Macau due to its proximity to the Philippines, the ease of being able to travel back home and the comparatively lower cost of living.
Remarking on opportunities for NRWs, Jun said that there may be more opportunities for them in Macau as a lot of people left the city or quit their jobs. There may be even more opportunities when direct flights to Macau for countries like the Philippines resume, he noted.
‘The situation is much better than before’
Sahhi, who works as a security guard, pointed out that “the situation is much better than before”.
Sahhi said that he wishes there were more opportunities for non-resident workers in Macau, adding that there may be more positions to fill now than during the pandemic as a lot of people left the city during the period when mandatory quarantines were the norm.
Regarding job security, the 33-year-old commented that he is no longer as afraid as he initially was. Although he said he wasn’t sure about what the future holds, he underlined that he would like to keep working here.
Meanwhile, 23-year-old Robin has lived in Macau for nearly six years and remarked that things are better for the city now. Things have been “good” recently, he said, although he has had to work more since things have got busier.
Photo taken yesterday by Rui Pastorin
