Local Lawmakers say senior citizens facing financial struggles

Many senior citizens in Macau are struggling to make ends meet, as their old age pensions are not enough to cover their daily expenses, according to lawmakers Zheng Anting and Lo Choi In.

In their work review of the previous session of the Legislative Assembly (AL), the lawmakers from the Macau Economic and Livelihood Alliance revealed that a significant number of elderly residents who approached their office expressed frustration over the inadequacy of their pension payments.

They then urged the government to consider reforms to the pension system, suggesting that either increasing the pension amount or linking it to the subsistence index could provide much-needed relief.

Meanwhile, according to its report, the association has received over 2,200 requests for support during the previous session of the the AL, primarily addressing the well-being of the population.

The lawmakers also recalled that Macau’s economy has shown signs of recovery since the pandemic, but warned that this rebound is uneven across various sectors, highlighting that many residents are struggling financially, particularly those in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Lo pointed out that a decline in private consumption and a drop in consumer numbers have negatively impacted all sectors, including SMEs. “The private consumption market has been declining and falling. We’ve seen all sectors, including SMEs, struggling to do business, so I’ve been pushing the government over the past session to come up with ways, effective measures, to revitalize the economy and help our SMEs,” Lo told the press.

Zheng voiced concerns about the local labor market, stating that many unemployed individuals are eager to work in hospitality and gaming sectors. However, an increase in foreign worker quotas complicates their employment prospects. He urged the government to implement effective measures to address these challenges and support local workers.

Also, both lawmakers expressed frustration over ongoing road construction projects that have plagued various districts. For instance, roadwork in Fai Chi Kei has been ongoing for over two years, while projects in Barra have stretched on for a decade. Staff Reporter