DSAL reports strong turnout and 177 hires at recent job fairs

The Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL), in collaboration with the Macau Federation of Trade Unions (FAOM), is hosting a three-day job fair at the Macao Forum, emphasizing its effectiveness by noting that 177 participants have secured employment through the job-matching events held over the past two months.

The “Large-Scale Job Fair for Employment Promotion” began yesterday and will continue for three days, serving as the third major job-matching event co-organized by the authorities since last month.

Addressing public concerns about the reliability of these fairs, Lei Lai Keng, chief of the bureau’s Employment Department, affirmed their credibility, citing that 177 job seekers have successfully found employment. The first two recent events focused on young local residents, with 95% of successful matches involving individuals under 30 years old.

“We have not yet received specific data on all successful matches, as every recruitment process involves certain procedures,” she explained.

“Citizens often check online for suitable jobs before attending, prepare their resumes, and introduce themselves to companies.” She emphasized that the job fairs serve solely as platforms for mutual selection, enabling job seekers and companies to interact and choose each other, and noted that overall operations are progressing smoothly.

According to the DSAL, from January to July this year, a total of 6,344 successful job matches were made.

Lei noted that, in addition to hosting large-scale job fairs every month, authorities organize multiple specialized matching events each week and a series of professional training programs. These initiatives aim to assist newly employed workers in enhancing their skills through structured training.

She emphasized that the authorities also closely monitor employees’ post-employment status and track their onboarding progress. “Some cases may be individual instances, and we will continue to improve and refine our follow-up measures,” she stated.

Meanwhile, in response to feedback from the hotel industry regarding difficulties in hiring local workers, Lei addressed whether the current environment would prompt authorities to take measures to protect industries struggling to recruit local staff. She stated that the policy on non-local workers is designed to supplement local labor shortages.

“We prioritize the employment needs of local workers and will use various platforms to help Macau residents seeking employment find jobs first. Therefore, this will not affect the operations of the hotel industry.”

Lei also noted that some hotels and catering service companies are actively responding to the authorities’ calls to participate in job fairs to find suitable talent, demonstrating their commitment to addressing labor shortages.

The ongoing job fair is open to all Macau residents seeking employment or looking to change careers.

As of yesterday, nearly 1,300 people had registered to attend, with most expected to show up. Lei urged job seekers to understand their own needs and strengths when searching for employment and to select positions that match their skills and career goals.

“Changes in market demand also influence job seekers’ choices, so they need to adjust their job-seeking strategies accordingly. Especially for young people, it’s important to first understand what kind of work they want before considering the direction of their career development.”

The DSAL reported that more than 50 companies participated in the job fair that opened yesterday, offering over 470 positions and nearly 1,400 job vacancies. These opportunities span various sectors, including tourism and leisure, hotels, information technology, banking and finance, aviation, and social services.

Among the many job seekers, Kuan, who graduated a year ago, expressed that the current job market is not ideal.

Despite submitting numerous resumes, he has received few responses. He mentioned attending a job fair in July but felt confused after being unsuccessful, as he did not receive any explanation for why he was not offered a position.

In this job market, Kuan hopes to find a position related to his field, such as a bank customer service manager, with an ideal salary of over MOP10,000.

He has no interest in relocating to mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, believing that his current focus should remain on finding a suitable position locally. When asked about his confidence, he noted that many companies have made offers, which gives him hope for the future.

Another job seeker, Chan, resigned from her previous job due to family reasons and is now looking to redefine her career path, which is why she participated in this job fair. Regarding salary, she expects between MOP12,000 and 14,000, believing this to be sufficient for living in Macau.

When discussing the current job market, she noted that Macau’s economic situation seems less than ideal but expressed hope for more job opportunities. Although she may not find a suitable position this time, she hopes to contribute to creating more employment opportunities for young people.

In addition to this job fair, Chan mentioned that she has participated in other job fairs co-organized by the authorities. Although she has attended interviews before, she has not received any feedback yet, so she is trying again this time in hopes of a better outcome.

Regarding the government’s employment assistance programs, Chan stated that she has not participated in any so far because she has been focusing on learning other languages. In the future, she may consider participating in some training programs, but for now, she believes that finding a stable job is her most important priority.

The current job fair also welcomed a new participant, Manuela, who has just returned from overseas and is attending a recruitment event in Macau for the first time.

Eager to explore new opportunities, she is looking for positions in multimedia and marketing. After spending ten years abroad, she is curious about the job market in Macau post-COVID and what possibilities await her.

Manuela noted that her biggest challenge is the lack of experience working in Macau, especially when applying for positions in luxury hotels.

Having previously worked in the Netherlands, she believes she can offer a unique perspective from her experiences in Europe, which may differentiate her from candidates with local experience.

When asked about the government-organized job fair, she expressed that it is very helpful, especially for local residents seeking employment. She hopes it will assist more people in finding suitable positions.

Delivering a speech during yesterday’s ceremony, Chan Un Tong, director of the DSAL, stated that the “special administrative region government will continue to prioritize local residents in employment, coordinate the supply and demand of the labor market, and encourage job seekers to explore and connect with various job opportunities.”