Union for Development advocates economic and employment security

As the city approaches polling day for the Legislative Assembly elections, the Union for Development (UPD), also known as group number five in the upcoming Legislative Assembly elections, unveiled its economic and employment agenda at a press conference yesterday.

Under the banner “Together with One Heart,” UPD representatives Ella Lei, Leong Sun Iok, and Cheng Ka Man outlined their proposals, emphasizing the need for sustained government intervention to create a more conducive business environment in Macau.

Lei, who advocated for labor rights during her previous term at the AL, emphasized the importance of prioritizing local hiring – particularly in the outsourcing of public works and services – as a key step toward improving labor market conditions.

This call for local employment aligns with ongoing government initiatives.

On May 28, Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai issued an executive order establishing a task force led by Secretary for Economy and Finance Anton Tai Kin Ip to coordinate efforts to promote employment.

Meanwhile, Secretary for Transport and Public Works Raymond Tam Vai Man announced, also in May, that government public works contracts would require contractors to prioritize hiring local residents.

Following announcements made on June 9 that 11 of the remaining satellite casinos will shut down by December 31, 2025, UPD called for the “close monitoring of satellite casino closures” at yesterday’s briefing. UPD stressed the need to ensure employees’ jobs, benefits, and salaries are protected throughout this transition.

These closures come as the three-year transitional period set by Macau’s amended gaming law, Law 7/2022, comes to an end.

Among the casinos scheduled to close by the end of the year are the Grandview, which closed on July 30, along with Legend Palace, Fortuna, Landmark, Ponte 16, Le Royal Arc, Emperor Palace, Kam Pek Paradise, and Casino Casa Real operated by SJM Resorts. In addition, Melco Resorts’ Grand Dragon and Galaxy’s Casino Waldo will also cease operations.

So far, only Ponte 16 and L’Arc Macau are expected to remain open beyond 2025. According to recent reports, SJM Holdings is still in discussions regarding the potential acquisition of the two satellite casinos.

In addition to employment measures, UPD proposed distributing consumption cards to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and ease financial pressures on residents.

This proposal has also been raised by other election groups during the campaign period.

The official 14-day election campaign, which began recently, will continue until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, September 12.

In this year’s elections, 14 candidates from six groups are competing for 12 indirectly elected seats. None of the six groups contesting the 14 directly elected seats is new to the race, including UPD.