Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai continued yesterday to listen to views and suggestions from different sectors of civil society in preparation for his 2025 Policy Address in April – and Macau Civil Servants Federation (MCSF) Chairman Pang Kung Hou told the media after his group’s meeting with Sam in the afternoon that the chief executive’s response to a possible pay rise for public servant was “quite engaged”, quoting Sam as saying that “it’s not the right time yet” for a salary increase, particularly in view of the government’s expenditure situation on various fronts.
According to Pang, his group has put forward a total of 15 points on Sam’s 2025 Policy Address, centred on issues such as the public service promotion system, remuneration packages and the development of the Guangdong-Macau In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. At the meeting, Pang said, discussions were also held on a possible cross-career promotion system, enhancement of a “balance system”* in the civil service, and public servants’ attitudes towards the national security.
Speaking to reporters outside Government Headquarters, Pang said: “As [Sam] has also taken into account the [government’s] expenses in many areas, he said that it is not yet the right time to adjust the salary upwards for public servants”. However, he added, Sam also said that the government would study the recommendations put forward by the group, including raising the level of annual public service allowances to 15 salary points – each currently standing at 94 patacas.
Pang said: “For public servants at the basic ranks, an upward adjustment of the seniority allowance will have a greater effect for them… If this adjustment is made, it should greatly alleviate the pressure they face in their daily lives.” He quoted Sam as saying that he would take the suggestion seriously.
On the improvement of the cross-career promotion system, Pang also said the government recognised that the system would be effective in boosting the morale of public servants and enhancing their work efficiency, quoting Sam as pledging that the government would implement the relevant system proactively in accordance with the local laws: “In fact, there are many areas with too many staff and others where there are not enough”.
Regarding the development of the Guangdong-Macau In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, the association, according to Pang, also proposed that the government establish a promotion and advancement mechanism there for Macau’s public servants, while linking it to Macau’s civil service, with the aim of encouraging public servants’ greater participation, particularly the younger ones, in the zone’s development.
The meeting was also attended by Secretary for Administration and Justice André Cheong Weng Chon, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Wallis O Lam, Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak and Secretary for Transport and Public Works Raymond Tam Vai Man.
*A “balance system” for employees typically refers to strategies, policies, or programmes implemented by organisations to help employees achieve a healthy work-life balance. – DeepSeek
This handout photo provided by the Macau Government Information Bureau (GCS) yesterday shows representatives from the Macau Civil Servants Federation (MCSF) meeting with Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai (centre) and some of his portfolio policy secretaries regarding his upcoming 2025 Policy Address.
