Measures to prevent tourists from seeking jobs proposed

Wong Chi Hong

An amendment to a law regulating the employment of non-resident workers has been submitted to Standing Committee for the Coordination of Social Affairs (CPCS). The amendments aim to prevent tourists from job hunting while they are travelling to Macau, CPCS members revealed last Friday, following a committee discussion organized in the afternoon.

According to Wong Chi Hong, director of the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL), the government suggested that those who intend to work in Macau as domestic helpers or other non-specialized jobs and wish to sign a contract with an employer, or have plans to change jobs, must first obtain a work permit prior to their arrival to Macau.

Wong said that the amendment is still under discussion, claiming that the proposed changes can remedy the current problem of tourists who  become workers in Macau after coming to the city by finding a job.

“We want to ensure that all non-
residents must first be hired by an employer, then [they] can enter Macau and change identification as a non-local employee,” declared Wong.

Currently, a tourist can visit Macau and become a non-local employee without leaving the territory. Wang Sai Man, a representative of the Employer’s Organizations of CPCS, said “it will not be that easy to supplement the labour force really fast in terms of non-local workers having to leave Macau for a certain period of time before getting a permit for a new type of work or new employer. Especially domestic helpers, [because] families need helpers to assist the elderly.”

A representative from the Employees’ Organizations, Choi Kam Fu, said that the employees’ organizations remain unsatisfied with the new proposal.

“It has a clear outcome [but], especially regarding domestic helpers, the government should conduct some studies, in particular on a supervision mechanism,” said Choi, adding that “there is none at this time [concerning the domestic helpers section].”

“The main purpose of this amendment is to ban tourists from looking for jobs in Macau. This law only adds one more step [to the employment process]. Workers will have to leave Macau and wait for their work permits, […] which means a worker can theoretically go to Hong Kong and come back on the same day [to work],” said Choi.

“Practically, it [the amendment] cannot change the situation [of tourists looking for jobs],” said Choi.

Upon concluding the discussion, the CPCS will deliver an opinion report to the legal group that consists of the Public Security Police Force (PSP), Legal Affairs Bureau and DSAL in order to draft the law before the amendment is delivered to the Legislative Assembly.