Local drivers petition CE against imported foreign drivers

Lawmaker Lei Cheng I

Members from the Macau Federation of Transportation met the Chief Executive yesterday morning at the government headquarters to present their survey regarding the current state of the local transport industry. The federation voiced demands for more optimized welfare schemes, and for regulations against an eventual import of workers into the city’s transport industry.
The report, released to the local drivers last month, indicated that approximately 40 percent of employed drivers had expressed concerns over the retirement protection mechanism offered by their companies. Another 30 percent of self-employed drivers showed dissatisfaction towards the government’s social security fund.
One of the association’s major requests, raised during yesterday’s meeting, was to seek the early implementation of a central provident fund system in the region, which they believe would further safeguard their retirement.
The local transportation industry currently has no door to foreign workers.  However, lawmaker Lei Cheng I, accompanied by the seven representatives from the federation, told media that the issue has still been plaguing local drivers, as it was evident that special-driving-license-holders kept ignoring the city’s laws. Lots of them made use of what they deem to be a legal loophole, carrying passengers waiting in the small area lying right outside the border gate, which is out of local jurisdiction, into the city. Earlier in April, Secretary Wong Sio Chak clearly spelt out in the policy address debate that the authorities had no legal rights to stub such activities without related regulations.
“We demanded that the government work on the issue, either by modifying the laws or strengthening enforcement. They insisted that the police have been actively involved in [eliminating the issue], but it was not sufficient [or working as a] deterrent,” Lei said. “Besides, over the years, there has been no improvement in salaries, perks and retirement protection in the industry to attract new drivers.”
The policymaker added that employers who are facing manpower shortages will only resort to the “illegal drivers,” as they usually request a lower priced offer. The federation’s report also indicated that 90 percent of the respondents objected to importing foreign drivers, as the move would place local drivers’ livelihoods at risk, and weaken their bargaining power over their employers.
The group requested that the government formulate relevant policies that take into account the social stability and the entire employment situation in the region. Some of their members pledged to “take further action” if the government failed to uphold its stance on the matter. Staff reporter