Briefs | CCM hosts Children’s Choir Annual Concert

The Macau Cultural Centre (CCM) announced it will present its Children’s Choir Annual Concert on December 17. According to a press release issued by CCM, “from well-known musical plays, to Christmas classics, this year’s line-up includes a wide range of tunes with some of the songs featuring choreographic moves performed by the choristers.” Through weekly choral practices, the CCM Choir cultivates musical interest in kids aged 8 to 16, providing choristers with a chance to appreciate music and participate in creative activities designed to develop their interpersonal skills and artistic sensitivity.

Participants oppose minimum wage bill

The Labour Affairs Bureau’s first public consultation on the minimum wage bill was carried out on Sunday. More than ten participants (employers) expressed their opposition towards the bill. Overall, over 30 people attended the consultation. A few speakers warned that if the government implements a minimum wage across all industries, it will lead to an increase in the rate of inflation, which will in turn lead to elderly people  and those in vulnerable groups being made redundant. They added that it could also lead to the closure of small enterprises.

Pace of inflation quickens in October

The Composite Consumer Price Index (CPI), a key measure of inflation that reflects the impact of price changes on general households, increased by 1.54 percent year-on-year in October 2017 to just over 110. The growth was significantly higher than the 1.39 percent growth in September 2017, attributed by the Consumer Council to rising charges for eating out, outpatient services, tuition fees and parking meter rates. Among the various sections of goods and services, the price indexes of health and education grew by 5.11 percent and 4.25 percent respectively year-on-year, and the price index of food and non-alcoholic beverages, which accounted for the largest share of household expenditure, went up by 2.33 percent. The CPI grew by 0.31 percent month-to-month; for the 12 months ending October 2017, it increased 1.16 percent from the previous comparable period.

New viaduct connects Fishman’s Wharf to Ferry Terminal

The government will build a new viaduct to connect one point of the Avenida da Amizade with the Fisherman’s Wharf. Yesterday, the Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau (DSSOPT) conducted an open bid for the project’s construction, having received 22 submissions. The viaduct will be 150 meters long, according to DSSOPT, and it will link to two other bridges which are currently being used at the Macau Ferry Terminal. The construction will start in the first quarter of 2018, and it will last for a maximum of 380 work days.