Macau companies should follow gaming operator's recruitment rules: legislator
In Macau, a growing call has emerged for large companies outside the gaming sector to adopt recruitment policies similar to those found within the gaming industry. This push, spearheaded by legislator Leong Sun Iok from the Federation of Macau Workers’ Association, aims to help achieve the government’s target that Macau residents should fill at least 85 percent of management positions in gaming establishments.
In an interview with local media, Leong said the government should aim to elevate local talent’s presence in managerial positions across various industries, particularly for high-paying jobs. Last year, among gaming concessionaries in Macau, about 90 percent of middle or senior management positions holding employees were local professionals.
According to the Statistics and Census Service, in 2024, management professionals in the gaming industry experienced a 22.2 percent annual salary rise, bringing the average monthly salary to MOP68,900 ($8,617). Leong stressed that local workers should be given more opportunities to fill management roles in various industries. By offering more career advancement opportunities, the goal is to create a more balanced and inclusive workforce in Macau. He further stressed that the responsibility for social welfare should not rest solely on gaming companies.
High-paying and stable jobs remains a challenge
Despite Macau having a low unemployment rate, securing high-paying and stable jobs remains a challenge for many local residents. Leong also addressed concerns regarding the workforce in the gaming sector, with Macau’s gaming industry employed a total of 52,971 full-time workers at the end of the fourth quarter of 2024, according to data from the Macau Statistics and Census Service (DSEC). This figure reflects an increase of 1,200 employees compared to the same period in 2023. However, it marks a significant decline from 2019, when the workforce totaled 58,225.
The gap raises concerns in terms of reported shortage of human resources in the sector. Leong highlighted that many gaming sector employees are required to work overtime, a situation exacerbated by only a modest 2.5 percent salary increase in the previous year. Recently, the Macau Gaming Employees Home, a trade union representing gambling industry employees said 바카라 workers in Macau are experiencing increasing mental and emotional stress.
At a press conference reviewing its 2024 work, the union said that while most 바카라 workers remain optimistic about the industry’s future, many are facing growing pressure due to new technologies, updated electronic equipment an increase in guest numbers, and stricter disciplinary rules.
The legislator also urged the government to ensure that young, inexperienced individuals are not overlooked by employers in the job market. Introducing policies to help recent graduates transition into the job market is essential for creating a more inclusive and sustainable economy.
