Macau's 25,459 casino dealers' average earnings in December rose 3.1 percent year-on-year to 21,080 patacas (US$2,635), the Statistics and Census Bureau (DSEC) announced today.
According to the findings of the bureau's survey on the gaming sector's human resources needs and wages for the fourth quarter of last year, its number of full-time employees increased 1.7 percent year-on-year to 58,225. Dealers accounted for 43.7 percent of the total number of full-time staff.
The survey did not include the casino junket sector.
Full-time employees' average earnings rose 3.8 percent to 24,640 patacas.
The industry recorded a mere 443 job vacancies at the end of last year, down by 878 year-on-year. Just 77 vacancies were for dealers.
Some 68.4 percent and 49.4 percent of the vacancies required knowledge of Putonghua and English respectively.
A total of 1,294 new employees were hired in the fourth quarter, down by 25.5 percent year-on-year. The job vacancy rate (0.8 percent) and employee recruitment rate (2.2 percent) fell 1.5 and 0.8 percentage points respectively, reflecting a slowdown in demand for human resources in the sector, the statement pointed out.
According to Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ) data, Macau had 41 casinos at the end of last year, two of which have had their operations suspended for a number of years.
Macau's casinos were shut down by government order between February 5-19 as part of the authorities' efforts to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Macau has confirmed 10 COVID-19 cases. The 10 patients - seven tourists from Wuhan and three locals - have meanwhile been discharged from hospital. Macau's last two novel coronavirus cases were confirmed on February 4.
