Security officers complain about holiday rights

Sulu Sou

Lawmaker Sulu Sou called the government to ensure the protection of basic rights for those in the security forces.

Recently, Sulu received reports which included claims that staff in the security forces could not enjoy all public holidays, nor would they be compensated for those days with extra holidays.

In a phone call interview with the Times, Sou noted that this situation normally affects staff working night shifts.

“We think the issue has existed for many years, and that either the security forces, or the SAR government need to sort out [the problem], and should not use the excuse that there is a shortage of human resources [to respond to staff’s complaints]. Such excuses are unacceptable,” Sou told the Times.

The lawmaker said that he collected information from some retired members of the security forces  concerning these situations.

Sou learnt that this situation has existed for the past 20 years, with the most serious cases occurring in the Public Security Police Force, the Fire Services Bureau, the Customs and the Macau Prison.

According to Sou, who disclosed the complaints of an anonymous security force officer, the Commission Against Corruption issued a warning to the security forces in March 2014, suggesting that officers on shift duty should be compensated for holidays by taking other days off.

Despite the warning, the situation has not changed.

The New Macau Association, on which Sulu serves as well, urged the Secretary for Security, Wong Sio Chak, to solve the problems and to ensure fairness and equity. 

Yesterday, Wong Sio Chak said that he is open to a change of policy. JZ