AL Plenary | Secretary Tam pledges to solve social security fund dispute

Alexis Tam

The Legislative Assembly (AL) discussed matters related to the social security fund and public concerns about sports facilities yesterday.
The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Alexis Tam announced that the government has pledged to solve the dispute between employees and employers concerning social security payments.
Lawmakers pointed out that the current social security contribution ratio has been the same since 1998, which, if maintained, could jeopardize the whole social security system. According to the lawmakers, the contributions depend mainly on taxes collected from the gaming industry. In addition, the lawmakers questioned whether Social Security has been using the money from the contributions.
Alexis Tam replied that the social security revenue is secure. The current surplus stands at MOP14.4 billion, while the total revenue reached MOP54.1 billion last year.
“Employees and employers have yet to reach an agreement on the contribution ratio,” Tam revealed, also saying that the government is in talks with both parties.
Lawmaker S.K. Mak asked Alexis Tam when the government will finalize the social security actuary work, and also inquired as to what the government meant when they said that the social security funds are in line with the current economy.
“If the economy slows down, will you give more or less money to people?” questioned S.K. Mak.
In response, the secretary advised the assembly that, regarding the social security funds of 2015, the actuary work will be wound up by the first quarter of 2016. The relationship between the economy and the social security payments was left unanswered.
As to the public sports facilities, the lawmakers noted that the location of the facilities does not provide for an acceptable situation for physical activity. The lawmakers requested the social affairs department to open more school sporting facilities to the public, pressing for a schedule to be revealed as to when the negotiations are to be settled.
“We are now in talks with several schools so that they can join the public sports facilities program. Hopefully, the University of Macau can open up their sports complex and other facilities to the public very soon,” the secretary replied. Staff reporter