Wages of construction workers increasing

The average daily wage of construction workers in Macau increased by 6.1 percent quarter-to-quarter to MOP815 in the fourth quarter of 2016, according to information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC). During the period the average daily wages of local construction workers (MOP1,041) and non-resident construction workers (MOP721), rose by 8.3 percent and 4.9 percent respectively, quarter-to-quarter.

The average daily wage of some roles increased due to the commencement of interior finishing works of hotels and other large projects, noted DSEC in a statement. The average daily wages of bricklayers and plasterers (MOP691), plumbers (MOP842), air-conditioning mechanics (MOP882) and carpenters (MOP1,184) increased by 6.1 percent, 4.6 percent, 3.9 percent and 3.7 percent respectively.

While the average daily wages of skilled and semi- skilled workers went up by 6 percent quarter-to-quarter to MOP819, that of unskilled workers rose by 1.2 percent to MOP408.

After discounting the effect of inflation, the wage index of construction workers (103.8) for the fourth quarter of 2016 increased by 3.8 percent quarter-to-quarter in real terms, and that of local construction workers (131.6) rose by 5.2 percent.

Meanwhile, for the whole year of 2016, the average wage index of construction workers (101.9) went up by 1.6 percent year-on-year in real terms, and that of local construction workers (128.2) grew by 2.3 percent.