Case of illegal workers found at concert still making shockwaves

From left to right: Holon Sang, Leong Sun Iok, Nick Lei and Ron Lam

The case involving a high number of people suspected of performing illegal work during a concert is still making waves and has now reached the Legislative Assembly (AL).

During the period before the agenda of yesterday’s plenary session, several lawmakers addressed the topic, calling on the government to take serious measures to address it.

The lawmakers recalled that for several years, some have raised this topic in AL discussions, but without resulting in any concrete measures from the government.

On the topic, lawmaker Leong Sun Iok noted that, according to the arts and culture sector, both companies and local professionals find it challenging to participate in projects involving the new entertainment trends, even for simple tasks.

“For example, at a recent concert, 68 illegal workers were reportedly hired to sell souvenirs, including university students studying in Macau and workers performing unauthorized duties, some of whom even claimed to be volunteers to avoid responsibility, a case that drew public attention,” said Leong.

He remarked that the problem is not new and has, over time, eroded the ability of law-abiding companies and local workers to survive.

“Last year, authorities detected 421 illegal workers, an increase from the previous year. The public has voiced concern about the low cost of hiring illegal workers in Macau, so efforts to combat this must be strengthened,” he said, adding that, according to the arts and culture sector, this case is just the tip of the iceberg.

“Many people from abroad, taking advantage of loopholes in the ‘Regulations on the Prohibition of Illegal Work,’ come to Macau to provide management and technical services or to engage in cultural exchange and artistic activities, but in reality, they are performing various types of work that do not comply with legal provisions. Some also work illegally in Macau under the umbrella of ‘volunteer work’ or while on tourist visas,” Leong said, noting that he has provided many examples of such cases over the years.

“The development of new sectors has fostered jobs such as decoration, makeup, filming, advertising, guided tours, and event planning, among others. These jobs are relatively hidden, ambiguous, and mobile in nature, making law enforcement difficult. As a result, situations of illegality often arise, with workers performing duties for which they were not authorized,” the lawmaker remarked.

The lawmaker hopes the government will “pay due attention to this issue and adopt more effective measures to rectify it,” including improving the legal framework, increasing penalties, and strengthening inspections.”

Leong said the government should consider introducing an “undercover agent” system to conduct surprise inspections and require convention and exhibition staff to wear identification cards to allow accurate identification and prevent abuse.

He also remarked that while the government is promoting the development of these industries in Macau, in reality, the vast majority of such events are organized, performed, and promoted by companies from outside Macau, a fact that does not help promote local employment or the use of local labor.

According to Leong, while the primary goal of the “1+4” strategy is said to be resolving contradictions and profound structural issues in Macau’s social development, there is still much work to be done before it truly benefits local companies and residents.

On the matter, lawmaker Nick Lei cited recent statistics on illegal work, noting that while authorities have presented some results, they still “continue to fall short of the community’s expectations. In particular, in recent years, the government has been actively promoting the implementation of the ‘1+4’ strategy for the appropriate diversification of the economy. With the launch of various types of projects in Macau, there is a tendency for the scope of illegal work to expand and diversify.”

“I have received several complaints from workers in various sectors, claiming that there are many illegal workers. For example, it is easy to find ‘accompanying photographers’ on social media in the mainland who have ‘special driving licenses’ and use them to engage in illegal transportation activities. Others take advantage of nighttime hours outside their official jobs to set up for conventions and exhibitions. Each day brings new situations,” Lei said, urging the government to urgently amend the regulations on illegal work, which have been in force for over 20 years and are, in his view, ill-suited to the current labor landscape.

Lei also called on the government to evaluate the situation of non-resident workers (TNRs) who have been hired by large companies in Macau and who, in many cases, are performing duties different from those justified in their original hiring.

The aim, he said, is to free up jobs that unemployed locals are willing and able to perform, thereby reducing the unemployment rate and alleviating the struggles faced by families.

Like Leong and Lei, Ho Ion Sang also called on the government to review the situation of illegal work, especially that performed by TNRs outside the scope of their contracts and hiring companies.

Ho noted that many of these workers take advantage of being in Macau to perform part-time duties outside their official jobs and are allegedly engaging in volunteer or unpaid work.

Ho, who currently holds an indirectly elected seat in the AL representing the General Union of Neighborhood Associations of Macau, said the government must review and optimize the relevant legal provisions to increase the penalties for hiring illegal workers and ensure local residents’ right to employment.

Also addressing the topic was lawmaker Ron Lam, who noted, “A few days ago, at a large-scale concert organized by a gaming concessionaire, a large number of workers suspected of illegal part-time work were found selling products around the venue. The media also discovered internet posts recruiting workers offering ‘200 patacas per day plus commission, including accommodation.’ In the past, a large number of TNRs were also found at large-scale exhibitions organized by gaming concessionaires, engaged in construction and assembly work.”

Lam said that due to the “excessive hiring of TNRs and illegal workers, the significant wage gap, generous labor import policies, and the lack of strict supervision and active enforcement by authorities, Macau’s job market is becoming increasingly distorted, seriously affecting local employment and the broader social environment.”

The lawmaker again urged the government to reduce the number of TNRs in the six gaming concessionaires as soon as possible, referencing the existing policy that prohibits labor importation for croupier and driver positions.

He called for quotas to limit imported labor for jobs that locals are willing and able to perform, stronger supervision, active investigations of black spots, and rigorous enforcement against illegal work to ensure job opportunities for locals and improve Macau’s employment environment.