Ella Lei urges legal oversight after G-Dragon concert employment issues

Following Saturday’s incident, in which nearly 100 non-local staff at K-pop star G-Dragon’s Macau concert were investigated by police for suspected illegal employment, lawmaker Ella Lei urged the government to enhance legal oversight, citing previous issues with illegal tour guides and workers at exhibitions and entertainment events.

According to Lei, with the current boom in Macau’s tourism industry and the promotion of conferences, exhibitions, and cultural performances, the government and industry have implemented identification measures for these events, such as requiring employees to have entry passes to ensure they are registered and legally authorized to work.

“However, illegal work continues to exploit legal loopholes,” she stated.

Lei has consistently raised concerns with the government regarding illegal employment practices, including underground workers, blue-card holders working outside their designated areas, and job hopping.

She told the media that underground labor is common in sectors like construction and catering, emphasizing that current illegal employment often involves flexible roles at different locations, such as those offered by professional drivers.

In an interview with the Times yesterday, the lawmaker emphasized that Macau has regulations to ensure priority employment for local residents, stating that non-local individuals without valid work permits are prohibited from working in the region.

She noted that Macau’s laws impose penalties for illegal and cross-border work. Additionally, she highlighted concerns about individuals misusing cultural exchange permits to engage in actual work, such as performing, selling goods, or providing security, rather than participating in legitimate cultural or academic exchanges as defined by regulations.

Lei believes the government must enhance inspections and supervision, as well as review existing legal systems, to implement more effective measures against illegal hiring practices.

“This will promote the healthy development of the job market and protect employment opportunities for local residents,” she remarked.

To effectively tackle illegal employment across all industries, she urged the government to review the legal system and strengthen collaboration with local sectors, particularly in monitoring illegal and cross-sector employment.

“The Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) and police are responsible for this area, and frontline personnel have done significant work. As I mentioned in this year’s policy session, these entities conduct regular inspections and surprise checks. However, while they have identified some cases of illegal workers, the current penalties seem insufficiently deterrent, prompting some individuals to take risks, believing they are unlikely to be caught.”

Lei’s recommendations aim to raise public awareness among tourists and non-local residents that only Macau residents or those with valid documents are allowed to work in the region, clearly stating the penalties for illegal employment.

She emphasized the need for better legal promotion to ensure understanding of the rules, stressing that even small amounts of work and volunteer work are considered illegal.

Consequently, the legislator urged the government to enhance legal publicity and intensify efforts to combat illegal activities, suggesting the creation of more direct reporting mechanisms to improve enforcement against such activities.