The Macau Federation of Trade Unions (FAOM) announced on Friday that according to its recent survey of the income situation of Macau’s commercial employees, which was conducted in conjunction with the Federal General Commercial Association of Macau, 90 percent of the respondents said that they are currently paid the same amount or less than last year, while more than 70 percent said they had not received a pay rise for two years.
According to FAOM, the survey on the “Employment Situation of Commercial Employees in Macau in 2023” was conducted in April and last month with 435 valid questionnaires collected, aiming to raise the government’s awareness of the employment and income situation of local commercial employees, and to improve their employment conditions.
The Macau Federation of Trade Unions is known as Gung Luen in Cantonese.
The findings of the survey show that 45 percent of the respondents believe that their employment is affected by non-resident workers (NRWs), and nearly half are looking for more fringe benefits and a higher statutory minimum wage.
FAOM Vice President Leong Sun Iok, a lawmaker, pointed out that industries affected by the hiring of the NRWs include the retail sector, such as supermarkets, where salaries are therefore being kept low. Leong said he hopes that the proportion of NRWs in the retail sector will be restricted.
Leong also mentioned that the participation rate of commercial employees in vocational training courses provided by the government was low due to their lack of time, and he suggested that the authorities liaise with enterprises to improve the training programmes.
In terms of wage increases, Leong said that currently “the only way” to raise the salaries in different sectors is through a rise in public servants’ salaries.
Leong also pointed out that some employees who lost their jobs during the three-year pandemic have still not been able to find a new job, adding he hoped that the government could improve its employment policies and labour protection measures, as well as optimise Macau’s employment environment.
Macau Federation of Trade Unions (FAOM) Vice President Leong Sun Iok addresses Friday’s press conference at the FAOM headquarters about its survey.
– Photo courtesy of TDM
