Minimum wage bill could become universal

Lawmaker Cheang Chi Keong has revealed that Macau’s government has decided to adjust the current minimum wage legislation so that it can one day become universal.
The Legislative Assembly (AL) Third Standing Committee president said that the government has accepted the opinions of the committee members and has amended the legislation.
It will be redrafted into a universal minimum wage bill, with an attachment that lists all the professions or sectors covered by the legislation, as well as setting the minimum wage level.
This means that although the discussion will continue to revolve around two positions in property management companies (namely cleaners and security guards) other professions can be added to the attachment in the future without the law needing to be changed.
Cheang Chi Keong said that the committee has received opinion pieces from various different groups. Furthermore, it will continue to welcome opinion pieces submitted in writing, and will be happy for groups to set up meetings with the Committee.
The minimum wage bill is one of the most controversial bills in the AL this year. Although almost all of the AL members voted in favor of the bill when the government introduced it, several lawmakers have vigorously voiced their concerns regarding the legislation. They raised issues such as the increase in property management fees, the financial pressure on small and medium sized enterprises, as well as concern regarding inflation.
The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Francis Tam, has already indicated that the government plans to pursue a universal minimum wage. JPL