AL election | Ella Lei: ‘Locals should occupy 90pct of executive positions’

Ella Lei (center)

Union for Development head and lawmaker Ella Lei is reiterating her calls for local residents’ employment stability and greater protection of their rights and interests – a message she has emphasized for the past four years.

Candidate to the Legislative Assembly (AL) elections, Lei is advocating that no less than 90 percent of enterprises’ executive management positions should be occupied by local residents.

At a press conference held by the group yesterday, the first-ranked candidate stressed that there should be a mechanism to manage non-local workers, particularly non-local executives who occupy executive positions at the gaming operators.

“No matter if it is the casinos, or other big enterprises, local people must constitute 90 percent or more of middle management and senior management personnel,” said Lei, who is also the vice president of the Macao Federation of Trade Unions (FAOM).

Lei’s party is calling for the government to reduce the number of non-local executives and managers – even going as far as to zero – so these positions can propel local peoples’ career development.

“We have to train talented human resources and not depend on [non-local workers],” Lei insisted.

Listed as the 16th team in the AL elections, the group reiterated that there should be no expat workers for dealers, casino supervisors, and occupational drivers. The group said it would push for the government to have a mechanism, which regulates non-local executives to leave the market within a limited period, to give locals more job opportunities.

Meanwhile, Union for Development recalled that FAOM has handled a significant numbers of cases submitted by residents regarding employment rights, and has improved laws and regulations for local employees to enjoy a good employment environment, as well as job security.

When questioned by the press on its plans for refurbishing the labor law – if elected to the next assembly – the candidate noted that the association would work on paid paternity leave, extend the current maternity leave, and several matters in the construction industry.

“Occupational safety law [and] construction industry supervision; the government is relatively slow about these topics [so] these are our focus,” she said.

“The rights protection definitely can’t go backwards; rights, such as the right to have a rest and the right to have holidays. We hope to improve this aspect in the labor law,” Lei affirmed.

Meanwhile the second- ranked candidate, Leong Sun Iok, is calling for the government to provide a mechanism for suspending work during typhoons in a bid to ensure employees’ health and safety.

“We [also] hope the government takes back some land to build affordable houses,” Leong added.

Both Lei and Leong also announced several proposals for matters including public housing, environmental protection and infrastructure improvement.   

Union for Development pledged to call on the government regarding the housing demands of the youth and elderly.

It also vowed to demand better urban planning in the city, calling for the government to establish a detailed plan to protect the environment.

Leong expressed that the government should conduct less road digging and build Macau into a “walking city,” giving a wider access for pedestrian lanes.

He added that there should be a mandatory central provident fund, and that social security fund source should be expanded.