Briefs | Spring Festival exhibition opens

As part of the celebrations of the Lunar New Year and in order to promote the traditional local Lunar New Year culture, the Macao Museum is presenting the “Spring Festival Thematic Exhibition in Macau”, which will be held at the Kun Iam Ecumenical Centre from today until March 18. The exhibition is supported by local collector Sam Wai Lon, who has loaned over 30 items from his collection, including red envelopes (“lai see”), calendar posters, candy boxes, money boxes and Chinese New Year publications for children. The items are divided into three sections, namely Chinese New Year Supplies, Festive Promotional Materials and Children’s Toys, to show the public how people used to celebrate the Spring Festival in Macau over the last century. Admission to the exhibition is free.

MGM announces salary increment

MGM China yesterday announced a salary increment for all eligible non-management employees, with effect from March 19, as a cost of living adjustment. According to a statement from the company, employees earning MOP16,000 or less per month will be awarded a monthly increase of MOP600, representing a 3.8 percent to 8.1 percent increment. For eligible non-management employees earning above MOP16,000 per month, a 2.5 percent increment will be awarded. “MGM Cotai is live now and has become the latest member of the MGM global family.  This would not have been possible without the successes that our team has built together in the past 10 years,” said Grant Bowie, chief executive officer of MGM China. “It is very important that we continue to increase our ‘one-team’ mindset.”

CNY: Departments warn against menu price changes

Representatives of the Consumer Council (CC), the Macao Government Tourism Office and Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau met with food and beverage industry chambers in Macau before Chinese New Year to ensure food and beverage outlets offer accurate and comprehensive information concerning their prices and services. According to a statement issued by the Consumer Council, “any price alterations should also be reported to the relevant department in advance to safeguard consumer rights.” The departments met with The United Association of Food and Beverage Merchants of Macao and the Association of Macau Small and Medium Enterprises of Catering to discuss the operation and service quality of the local food and beverage industry during the Chinese New Year. During the meeting, the representatives from the food and beverage industry were reminded that food items must be listed completely and accurately on the menu and charges and price adjustments should also be known to customers. “For inbound tourists who are not familiar with the local market, they should be informed of any charges to avoid any misunderstandings and disputes,” the CC stated.

Fujian tops CNY ‘lai see’ total amount

According to mainland news, Fujian has been ranked first in terms of the mainland’s ‘lai see’ (red envelopes), with an average of RMB3,500 given, as estimated by “lai see” receivers. The ranking was shown in a mainland financial app. According to the app’s data, Guangdong ranked last, with an average of only RMB50. The app also gathered data regarding Hong Kong and Macau. Hong Kong and Macau recorded an average of HKD1,000 and HKD700, respectively.

Four buses to run less frequently next week

Four buses will reduce the frequency of their schedules next week, from Monday until Saturday, the Transport Bureau (DSAT) announced yesterday in a statement. Bus 59 will run from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at a frequency of every 20 minutes. Bus 71 will run from 6.30 a.m. until midnight every 12 to 15 minutes. Bus 72 will run from 6 a.m. to 00:15 a.m. every 16 to 20 minutes. Finally, bus 73 will run from 6:30 a.m. to 00:10 a.m. every eight to 15 minutes, depending on the time of the day.