The Legislative Assembly (AL) passed yesterday a government-initiated bill proposing to set up a new system to attract qualified human resources from outside Macau in order to promote economic diversification and improve local businesses’ competitiveness, which will take effect on July 1, after its promulgation in the Macau Official Gazette (BO).
The law stipulates that the Talent Development Committee will be responsible for policy development and eligibility screening, and the Public Security Police (PSP) will be tasked with verifying applicants’ identification papers.
Some lawmakers said that the policy should not only benefit non-residents, but should also train qualified local staff and encourage residents living abroad to return to Macau to develop their careers here.
Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Elsie Ao Ieong U said the government hopes that through the interactive process of cooperation projects or joint work between talents from outside and local residents, the residents could learn and enhance their abilities, adding that the government encourages residents living outside Macau to return home to continue their careers in the city.
However, Ao Ieong added she believes when Macau develops further in various fields, talented residents will gradually return from overseas anyhow.
Some lawmakers voiced concerns that the work experience details submitted by applicants may not match reality, and asked the government about its talent application monitoring mechanism.
Ao Ieong said the government would analyse the authenticity of the information based on the applicants’ tax and immigration records, as well as the papers and data submitted, and would also conduct random checks on them.
Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Elsie Ao Ieong U speaks during yesterday’s plenary Q&A session in the legislature’s hemicycle. – Photo courtesy of TDM
