Over 31,000 non-resident workers forced to leave the city

Over 31,000 non-resident workers were forced to leave Macau for a period of six months, data collected by the Public Security Police (PSP) shows. A significant number of these non-resident workers left Macau over the past two years, since a new law governing the recruitment of imported labor came into force in 2010.
Between April 2010 and January this year, 31,012 non-resident workers were not allowed to work in Macau for a period of six months. The measure was applied to 12,285 non-resident workers last year, and to 10,060 in 2013.
The law on imported labor allows the Macau government to refuse to issue a new stay permit to non-locals for a period of six months if the non-resident worker’s labor contract was terminated. In order for the non-resident worker to change jobs, for instance, he/she is required to leave Macau for six months.
The law was amended in 2013 to allow non-resident workers to stay in Macau when they change employer, but only if they keep the same job description.
“It’s a huge number. Given the fact that there are several exceptions to the rule allowed by the law, we can only conclude that either those people were all dismissed with just cause or their resolved they handled their employment contracts without just cause,” a legal expert who wished to remain anonymous said.
The number of non-residents being refused a new stay permit in Macau has increased: 1,106 people were not allowed to work here for six months during the first eight months of 2010; in the following two years, 2,745 and 4,816 people were also denied a new stay permit for a period of six months.  MDT/Lusa