CE steps up oversight on local employment as satellite casino closures loom

As part of the government’s efforts to enhance employment security for Macau residents, a task force has been established, with Chief Executive Sam
Hou Fai emphasizing: “My colleagues and I have been closely monitoring the employment situation in Macau.”

“Following the establishment of the new Special Administrative Region (SAR) government, job stability has been a top priority within our entire policy framework. We have consistently monitored the overall employment situation in Macau,” said the CE.

He noted that the creation of the Employment Coordination Working Group was agreed upon at executive meetings, especially in consideration of the upcoming graduation season, to enhance local employment efforts amid recent economic and social changes that have raised concerns about employment issues.

Regarding the necessity of establishing such a task force specifically for a single topic, Sam pointed out that “employment is a complex issue that cannot be resolved by a single entity.”

Consequently, the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Anton Tai, has been tasked with overseeing the coordination of the group, which includes the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture and the Office of the Secretary for Transport and Public Works. The CE remarked: “We hope that the SAR government will coordinate this work, as employment issues affect every family in society.”

“We have essentially reached a consensus that, as long as the SAR government leads public projects and ensures suitable talent is available, we will prioritize local candidates for these positions,” he added.

The government also encourages large enterprises to assume greater social responsibility and collaborate to enhance the overall employment market. According to Sam, two notable developments have emerged to effectively advance the priority policy of local employment.

First, Macau Slot, which currently employs only 15% non-local workers, has committed to increasing local employment opportunities and actively recruiting local personnel in its contracts. Additionally, recent public tenders for parking lots included a scoring criterion based on the proportion of local employees hired.

The CE believes that “as long as everyone works together,” the policy of stabilizing employment can be implemented in an orderly manner.

Satellite casinos account for a small proportion of GDP

The CE said yesterday that the soon-to-be closure of 11 satellite casinos by the end of the year is unlikely to significantly affect Macau’s gross domestic product (GDP), emphasizing that the primary responsibility for resettling affected employees falls on the operators, with the government overseeing regulation and enforcement.

According to Sam, there are a total of 5,600 employees working at the satellite casinos, with 4,800 dispatched by their respective gaming companies. Among the affected employees, only 800 are hired by the satellite site’s operating entity and will be subject to labor laws that require employers to uphold employment contracts, with the Labour Affairs Bureau responsible for legally following up on these arrangements.

Additionally, the gaming companies have pledged to assist these employees as needed to ensure their employment status is properly addressed.

“We hope everyone can rest assured that the Macau SAR will urge the gaming companies to fulfill their obligations and accommodate all employees,” said Sam. He noted that after the satellite casino closure was announced, media interviews with long-term employees revealed a sense of calm, with no concerns about the gaming companies reneging on their commitments – indicating that the companies have taken responsibility.

Pointing out last year’s GDP of MOP400 billion, Sam highlighted the effect of satellite casinos on Macau’s economy, stating that their contribution to this total is minimal.

Commenting on the closure of satellite casinos and referring to the government’s aim to ensure the legal, orderly, and healthy development of the gaming industry, he said: “The primary goal of the Macau SAR government in addressing satellite venue issues is to ensure legal compliance and public health. Many satellite venues have already closed in various areas, and their societal impact is gradually becoming evident. In fact, many had closed several years ago, and this was anticipated during the three-year transition period.”

With the closure of the satellite casinos, commercial activities – especially in ZAPE – are potentially affected.

Yesterday, the CE urged local businesses there to work together to adapt and transform in response to these changes. While recommending using the area’s connections to the city’s old quarters and the waterfront promenade to enhance its appeal, he encouraged the business community to suggest improvements for the local economy and transportation infrastructure.

“The government will fully support the development of the business community and provide assistance in policy and taxation. Issues such as the positioning, improvement, and transportation infrastructure of various districts can be raised by the business community at any time. The government will fully support the business community and assist in improving the business environment to minimize the negative impacts resulting from the implementation of legal provisions related to the satellite field,” Sam stated.

According to him, the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Anton Tai, is currently in talks with the business community in ZAPE to discuss regional conditions and explore policy measures from the perspective of a distinctive community economy.

Additionally, the Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT) is responsible for tracking the number of businesses in ZAPE and the operational status of various industries, ensuring that businesses have time to plan corresponding measures.