Our Desk | To give or not to give

Lynzy Valles

The ongoing petition for non-resident workers to also receive the 3,000 patacas e-voucher has reached nearly 2,800 signatures as of press time.
The petition was started to call on the government to support blue card holders with consumer vouchers – similar to the support given to local residents.
The petition started in mid-February when the government announced that it would issue a 3,000 pataca consumption e-voucher to Macau citizens in a bid to boost the local economy.
The measure – currently in its first phase – is budgeted at 2.2 billion patacas.
The move excludes blue card holders, many of whom (as I see online) describe the selective decision as unfair.
I do not want to comment on whether the distribution of the vouchers was unfair or not – I’d prefer to believe that not all classes in society should have been given the voucher – but that is another argument.
Many have already signed the petition, surpassing the initial goal of 1,000 signatures.
We live in a city in which laws and regulations are not really for non-residents, sadly. Yet at some point it makes sense, as local residents of a certain city should always be prioritized.
It may seem almost impossible that the petition’s call will be heeded by the government, but baby steps like this are such a significant step for non-resident workers’ voices to be heard.
“Because we do have the financial capability, Macau should shout out in example and support the blue cards with the consumer voucher because they support this community and are part of the rich mix of cultural identity!” the petition noted.
“They are the ones doing some of the hardest jobs and with very low income. They too can help stimulate the local economy with this showed appreciation from our government. They deserve this support no matter their nationality!” it added.
After the launch of this campaign, I heard several non-resident workers expressing hope that the campaign will actually come to pass.
Many of them have encouraged their friends to sign the petition with high hopes that they would also be given 3,000 patacas in a form of an electronic card.
“This is important because we also live here and I am on no work no pay leave and we need to pay house rent and buy food,” commented one who signed the petition.
“As I’ve spent my 15 years in Macau, I think the government should at least share some benefits for me as I spend 50% of my salary here just like the locals,” said another.
Several hundred blue card holders are currently jobless due to the impact of the pandemic.
Many local residents are jobless as well but non-residents workers are in a very difficult situation.
There are over 200 Indonesian migrant workers, over 600 Filipino and some 150 Vietnamese blue card holders who are currently on unpaid leave, which makes it extremely difficult for them to continue living in an expensive city.
I passed by the Philippine General Consulate yesterday and dozens of the Philippine workers were lining up to submit their application for its cash aid program.
Those qualified will be able to receive a one-time amount of USD200 in financial assistance, as part of the Philippine government’s measures to support its migrant workers.
But what about those Vietnamese or Indonesian communities who do not have any consulate in the city to financially assist them?
The question remains largely on how the city can show its support and acknowledge these “excluded” parts of society while ensuring that they look after local families, and hotel and food and beverage operations.