Secretary Calls on Gaming Operators to Increase Staff Salaries

MACAU, SAR (November 23, 2023) — The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Lei Wai Nong, stated that the government has encouraged gaming operators to raise the salary levels of their employees.

Macau News Agency (MNA) reported that during a Policy Address Question and Answer session at the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, Lei began by emphasising that the government cannot demand operators to update their staff’s salaries, but they can suggest such a move. “I cannot mandate that gaming concessionaires adjust their employees’ salaries, but we have been advising them to share the fruits of the economic recovery with their workers,” Lei Wai Nong said.

The Secretary for Economy and Finance stressed that the government can only express the hope that capable firms will consider raising salaries for their staff. “I hope all companies understand that their workers are the most important assets of their organisations.”

He further quoted a survey indicating that in general companies would have room to provide a 2-3 per cent salary increase.

Earlier this month, lawmakers Nick Lei and Ella Lei, called on the government to urge gaming concessionaires to increase the salaries of their workers. This request comes as gross gaming revenue exceeds forecasts, reaching MOP 148 billion between January and October, surpassing the government’s initial MOP 130 billion full-year estimate.

Lei added that the government has been monitoring the six gaming operators’ fulfilment of the 10-year concession contracts, emphasising that whenever issues arise, the six operators have been adopting the necessary measures in a suitable and timely manner.

SOURCE: Macau News Agency (MNA).