Migrants call for talks with labor associations

Several migrant workers expressed their disappointment over the amendment of a law regulating the employment of non-resident workers, highlighting the unnecessary difficulties that they would have to face when the amended law becomes operative.

Macau still requires overseas domestic work, and thus these migrant workers hope that the move would enhance their current situation.

It was last year when the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) announced its plans to work with the Public Security Police Force (PSP) to require non-residents engaged in non- specialized and domestic work to hold a work-related permit issued by the Macau immigration authorities before entering the region and being granted a “stay permit as worker.”

The DSAL previously told the Times “it will help to strengthen the importation management of non- specialized and domestic workers.”

Members of the migrant groups criticized the amended law, as it would be more time-consuming for both employees and employers and there will also be an increase in the hiring costs.

Erik Lestari, former president of an Indonesian migrant group, expressed to the Times that they are not in favor of the policy, recalling that they are still upset from the shortened visa given to them after a contract termination.

“My Vietnamese and Indonesian friends think it is really bad news and we view this as a serious problem,” Lestari said.

“Just to think about the air ticket fares and agency fees, it is already a significant amount to prepare and it would take so much time to go back home and return to Macau,” she added.

These migrant workers also noted that it would also be problematic for employers to make hiring decisions, as they may be forced to hire a worker they have not met yet. This is exacerbated by the absence of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between their country and the MSAR.

“It is better to have an MoU first,” Lestari suggested, implying that it would assure the rights protection of migrant workers.

“We should sit down with the employers’ association and agency association to discuss this issue for the [betterment] of us all,” Lestari suggested.

Echoing the same sentiments, Yosa Wariyanti, president of the Indonesian Migrants Workers Union, called on a hiring cooperation agreement between Indonesia and Macau.

She expressed that the initial process of acquiring a job in a migrant’s country is still unclear and would only likely increase unethical placement fee practices undertaken by agencies.

Since the practice of high placement fees is prevalent in the region – which require workers to pay, depending on the sector, a few months of their wages to placement agencies – the migrant worker implied that the government could have focused on solving this particular matter.

“If the system is the same as Hong Kong – when passing by employment agencies – then definitely overcharging will still be practiced,” she said.

Wariyanti noted that the only advantage the move would bring was to minimize human traffickers and brokers.

“Macau’s government must make a clear derivative rules related to this amendment. […] Whether Macau will make the MoU with countries exporting migrant workers, and to open a representative agency in the exporting country,” Wariyanti suggested.

Meanwhile, other migrant workers were left disappointed with the upcoming policy, confused about whether it would also be applied to non- specialized non-resident workers who have been working in the region for over a decade.

“I hope the protection for employees from the agencies will be stronger,” said migrant Ayrelyn Benas. She also expressed wishes that the amended policy would equally benefit both employees and employers, but stressed that agencies will still play a significant part in the hiring process – which remains worrying.

“It will be a pity for those who are already working in Macau and would have to go back home as the only way to find another job,” said another migrant worker.

“This would affect the employers if they happen to not like their new employees as it would disrupt their jobs as they need to wait for a new one,” the migrant added.