The Macau Federation of Trade Unions (FAOM) conducted a survey from June to November, revealing that over 60 percent of the respondents believe that their families have not benefited from the economic recovery.
The survey, which collected 1,110 valid responses, found that nearly 62 percent of the respondents identified economic factors as their primary source of stress, while 57 percent reported high levels of work-related pressure.
During a press conference held yesterday at the FAOM (known as Gung Luen in Cantonese) creche in Mong Ha district, FAOM Vice President Leong Sun Iok, a lawmaker, highlighted that nearly 67 percent of the respondents regard living expenses as their biggest burden, followed by mortgage repayments, at 46 percent, and child-rearing costs, at 43 percent.
According to Leong, the findings underscore a strong call from 80 percent of the respondents for the government to introduce more economic assistance measures to alleviate financial strain on residents.
The survey also revealed that over 60 percent of the respondents cope with stress by socialising with friends and family, while more than 70 percent expressed a desire for enhanced cultural and recreational activities in their communities.
Leong urged the government and local organisations to bolster mental health services and organise diverse activities to foster social cohesion and strengthen community support networks.
Notably, the survey identified significant stress levels among families with monthly combined incomes below 50,000 patacas, with nearly 60 percent of the respondents reporting substantial pressure, and among those families earning less than 30,000 patacas a month, the proportion facing high stress was particularly pronounced. Furthermore, nearly 59 percent of the respondents aged 35 to 54 reported “significant” stress, with physical labourers and service workers experiencing the highest levels of pressure.
To mitigate stress among workers, Leong recommended increasing wages and establishing a fair wage growth mechanism, improving work environments, and promoting flexible work arrangements. He also emphasised the importance of psychological resilience through targeted training and comprehensive mental health services, including hotlines and one-on-one counselling.
This screenshot captured from a live broadcast by the Macau Federation of Trade Unions (FAOM) yesterday shows its press conference by FAOM representatives about a survey on working families’ stress levels, including Vice President Leong Sun Iok (second from right), at the organisation’s creche in Mong Ha district.
