Foreign domestic workers’ entry still ‘not an option’

Bringing in foreign domestic workers is still not an option, Wong Chi Hong, director of the Labor Affairs Bureau (DSAL), insisted in a reply to lawmaker Bruce Lei Chan U’s inquiry.

Despite holding a position in the Macao Federation of Trade Unions (FAOM), Lei asked the bureau about importing domestic workers from outside of Greater China to ease demand.

Wong pointed out that, in the light of his consultation with the Health Bureau (SSM), allowing foreign workers from outside Greater China to enter Macau would be risky, “because Covid-19 is booming around the world.”

Still citing the SSM, Wong stressed that the foreign domestic workers favored by employers in Macau are mostly from high-risk countries. Bringing them in to work in communities in Macau would pose high risks, the official hinted.

He highlighted that the government currently makes exceptions for the arrival of foreign workers in two circumstances; firstly if they come on the purpose of participating in important business, academic or professional activities; or secondly if they have stayed in mainland China, Macau or Hong Kong for at least 21 days.

Foreign workers who do not meet either of the two criteria are not allowed to enter Macau, although approval is on a case-by-case basis.

“For the time being, we will not consider approving the import of foreign workers who do not meet these criteria,” Wong said in the reply. “The government may adjust its policies in due course after close consideration and evaluation of risks,” he added.

In his inquiry, Lei noted that Hong Kong had resumed taking in foreign domestic workers in August 2021. Certain restrictions apply and the main aim of the scheme was to ease demand for domestic workers.

In the same inquiry, the lawmaker also expressed his concerns about the quality of domestic workers – local or non-local – currently serving households in Macau. He followed up his question by citing cases of violence initiated by domestic workers.

In response, the DSAL director noted that the bureau has been offering domestic work courses in collaboration with various associations since 2012. Employers are encouraged to recommend these courses to their domestic workers.

Furthermore, information for improving legal literacy has been disseminated in different channels and languages, the bureau director emphasized, adding that 350 attendees were recorded at seminars held in 2021.