FAOM seeks stronger protection and support for civil servants

The Macau Federation of Trade Unions (FAOM) is calling for enhanced protections and improved working conditions for civil servants amid ongoing public administration reforms.

The appeal came during a recent opinion-collection meeting organized by the Macau Civil Servants Federation and its affiliated unions, attended by lawmakers and union leaders including Ella Lei, Lei Chan U, and Leong Sun Iok.

At the recent meeting, the lawmakers highlighted recent legislative improvements for civil servants.

Leong Sun Iok and Ella Lei noted that after advocacy and feedback from Macau trade unions and the FAOM council, the government has amended the “General Regulations Governing the Staff of the Public Administration of Macao.”

As explained by the lawmakers, this adjustment now allows civil servants to obtain sick leave certificates from medical clinics partnered with the Health Bureau, such as community health centers, thereby expanding the types of institutions authorized to issue sick leave certificates.

According to FAOM’s press statement, this change eases civil servants’ access to healthcare while reducing strain on public hospitals.

During the meeting, lawmakers also discussed ongoing efforts by the current administration to deepen public sector reform.

Participants discussed optimizing the allocation of public sector functions, controlling staffing levels, and managing personnel transfers.

They also called for a timely review of special and horizontal career paths to support civil servants’ career progression.

However, staffing shortages in some departments were highlighted.

Lawmakers cited evolving social needs and departmental adjustments as increasing workloads and pressure on civil servants.

Concerns were also raised about the blurred boundary between work and personal time, as civil servants reported stress from receiving work instructions on mobile devices outside office hours, fearing criticism if they do not respond quickly.

Participants called for department heads to adopt more humane management practices respecting employees’ well-being and encouraged organizing more activities aimed at relieving workplace stress in the future.