Minimum ratio of local staff employed by each Macau concessionaire set at 85%

At a plenary session of the Legislative Assembly, Macau’s Secretary for Economy and Finance, Lei Wai Nong, declared that every gaming concessionaire was required to employ a minimum of 85% local laborers.

Lei responded to questions from legislators on the criteria for staff-to-owner ratios and locals’ employment rights under the terms of the 10-year gaming concessions agreed in December 2022.

Lei said that the concessionaires had actively encouraged locals to find work by giving them chances and training. Lei highlights that the need of 85% local worker engagement is a minimum, not a maximum. After years of training, he recognized the achievements of the young Macau natives who had rose to the position of high-ranking managers inside the concessionaires.

As concessionaires provide new, non-gaming components, Lei recognized the need for a variety of talents, but he also made the point that certain professions, like housekeeping and cleaning, would not be welcomed by Macau residents. When accepting applications from applicants abroad, the Labor Affairs Bureau would take this into account.

As of the third quarter of 2023, the overall unemployment rate in Macau was 2.3%, while the local population’s unemployment rate was 2.9%. Locals made up around 96% of the approximately 71,000 employees in the gaming and junket industries. As of September 30, 2023, there were roughly 26,100 hotel employees, of whom 64% were locals.

Original story by: IAG