Pay stability for gaming workers amid employment shifts

Macau’s gaming industry workers are enjoying stable salaries, with a median monthly income of MOP21,000 reported in the third quarter

This figure remains unchanged from the previous quarter but marks a 2.43% increase from MOP20,500 a year earlier, according to a recent survey by the Statistics and Census Service.

Gaming workers, who make up 18.9% of the total workforce, have seen their earnings remain robust despite fluctuations in employment numbers.

The gaming sector’s workforce grew 1.7% from the previous quarter and 0.7% year-on-year, reflecting a broader recovery in the economy as tourism rebounds post-Covid-19.

As of Sept. 30, the number of unemployed individuals dropped 12.5% to 9,100, with many former gaming employees seeking new opportunities in the job market.

While median earnings for gaming workers are second only to those in finance—where salaries reached MOP22,000—concerns regarding worker welfare persist.

Lawmakers have called on both the government and casino operators to reinstate pre-pandemic benefits as the industry stabilizes.

The overall employment landscape remains positive, with total employment rising to 379,300.

The unemployment rate for residents stood at 2.3%, unchanged from the previous quarter.

However, fresh graduates entering the labor market face increased competition for jobs, with those seeking their first jobs now comprising 16% of total unemployed individuals. Nadia Shaw