Ella Lei insists that part-time regulations need further consideration

Ella Lei

Lawmaker Ella Lei hopes that the government can pause the progress of a proposed part-time work law due to the topic  currently being a source of contention between MSAR residents.

On September 23, the Labour Affairs Bureau started a public consultation, regarding the amendment to the part-time work law; the public consultation will end next Wednesday.

The amendment suggests that jobs where the monthly working hours are less than 72 hours should be redefined as part-time work. It suggests offering non-paid sick and paternity leaves, as well as other changes regarding employment contracts, holidays, salaries and the social security of part-time workers.

Lei has claimed that among the several people who have contacted the Macau Federation of Trade Unions (FAOM), where Lei is serving,  there is an agreement that the government should not rush into establishing these amendments as they believe the amendments would create unfair situations and conflicts.

She believes that related legislation for part-time workers should primarily aim to protect, not reduce, these workers’ rights.

At the same time, the government is carrying out a public consultation regarding amendments to the labor relation laws.   

According to Lei, the public discussion of two topics (paternity leave and overlapping holidays and weekends) has already reached a point of agreement.

Lei suggested that the government should handle these two amendments first and allow more time for society to discuss the other topics, to achieve an effective and fair agreement.