• About Us
  • The Team
  • Advertise with Us

The latest news on the gaming industry in Asia

() () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () ()
  • Home
  • Macau
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Japan
  • Rest of Asia
  • World
  • Features
  • Industry Talk
  • Trends & Tech
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS Feed
    • LinkedIn

Macau labour reps grumble on labour law tweaks

Oct 06, 2017 Newsdesk Latest News, Macau, Top of the deck  


Macau labour reps grumble on labour law tweaks

Representatives from Macau’s labour sector believe government-proposed amendments to the city’s labour regulations do not go far enough in some areas: maternity leave is one of them.

Ella Lei Cheng I, a member of Macau’s Legislative Assembly and vice president of the Macau Federation of Trade Unions, told GGRAsia: “Our maternity leave [system] is still backward when compared to nearby regions. In the future, maternity leave should be extended to as much as 90 days, which is what a lot of regions are pursuing.”

The Macau government announced a 45-day consultation period – starting on September 25 – for the public to comment on the changes to the Labour Relations Law, a statute originally enacted in 2009. Some of the proposed amendments include: an additional 14-day unpaid leave for new mothers in addition to the current entitlement to 56 days of paid maternity leave; and the introduction of three to five days of paid paternity leave for new fathers.

The government also proposed that if an employee’s weekly leave clashes with a mandatory public holiday, the employer must then provide the employee with one extra rest day.

The suggested amendments to the law also include the employee being able to choose – via a written agreement between the employer and the employee – to designate three mandatory holidays as normal work days as well. The employee would then be able to select three non-mandatory holidays and enjoy the mandatory leave.

This idea also fails to meet with labour rep Ms Lei’s approval.

She explained: “Employers and employees are inherently unequal. Employees don’t have much bargaining power when facing their employers… Therefore, when the labour law contains too much leeway based on agreement, problems can occur.”

Ms Lei believes that the community has already reached consensus on issues such as paternity leave and  compensation for individual worker leave that clashes with public holidays. She nonetheless expected the proposed changes to the law would trigger intense debate in the Legislative Assembly.

Cloee Chao, director of the gaming worker group Professional for Gaming of New Macau, also criticised the proposed supplementary 14-day unpaid leave for new mothers, describing it as “disappointing”.

“We know that maternity leave in Hong Kong is already 10 weeks (70 days) long. The Labour Law in mainland China even gives 120 days of maternity leave. As for Macau, the maternity leave for female public servants can last for 90 days… Is it that only mothers who are public servants can enjoy special privileges in Macau?” she said.

“The 14-day unpaid [supplementary maternity] leave is meaningless [for casino workers]. When we are already heavily pregnant, our company will even agree to give us one-month unpaid leave. I think the only meaningful thing in the amendment is the paternity leave,” she added.

Ms Chao also stated that the proposed arrangement regarding the clash of personal leave and public holidays would only bring new benefit for a fraction of gaming industry workers, as the majority of the six gaming operators had already voluntarily adopted the practice.

Instead, she thinks the government should look into the possibility of establishing a mandatory allowance for working night shifts.

“There is a clause in [casino employees’] contracts that requires us to work shifts, which excludes us from receiving a night shift allowance… This means that the six gaming operators are treating their employees worse than the small- and medium-sized businesses do their workers,” she said.

 


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Gaming recovery helps Melco Resorts EBITDA break even 4Q
    Gaming recovery helps Melco Resorts...

    Feb 26, 2021  

  • SJM posts US$390mln 2020 loss, Cotai scheme in 1H
    SJM posts US$390mln 2020 loss, Cotai...

    Feb 23, 2021  

More news
  • 2021 board named for International Gaming Standards Assn
    2021 board named for International...

    Mar 02, 2021  

  • Foreigner-only Vietnam casinos seek local trade: report
    Foreigner-only Vietnam casinos seek...

    Mar 02, 2021  


Latest News

2021 board named for International Gaming Standards Assn

2021 board named for International Gaming Standards Assn

Mar 02, 2021  

The International Gaming Standards Association (IGSA) has added to its board Scott Cowan, manager of destination gaming at Canada’s Atlantic Lottery Corp. Other sitting senior officials and board...
Read More
Foreigner-only Vietnam casinos seek local trade: report

Foreigner-only Vietnam casinos seek local trade: report

Mar 02, 2021  

IGT, Sci Games in cross-licensing deal on cashless gaming IP

IGT, Sci Games in cross-licensing deal on cashless gaming

Mar 02, 2021  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Partners

Pick of the Day

”Consumers are increasingly comfortable using cashless technology, and they will continue to expect this option to be available on the floor"

Matt Wilson

Chief executive – gaming business at casino equipment and technology supplier Scientific Games



Most Popular

  • Macau VIP challenged by changes in China: Galaxy Ent bossMacau VIP challenged by changes in China: Galaxy Ent boss February 25, 2021
  • Melco’s Lawrence Ho hopeful on Macau recovery in MarchMelco’s Lawrence Ho hopeful on Macau recovery in March February 26, 2021
  • Galaxy Macau to add Raffles-branded hotel towerGalaxy Macau to add Raffles-branded hotel tower March 1, 2021
  • Macau casino GGR down 9pct m-o-m in February: govtMacau casino GGR down 9pct m-o-m in February: govt March 1, 2021
  • Suncity to open clubs at Londoner Macao, Lisboa PalaceSuncity to open clubs at Londoner Macao, Lisboa Palace February 26, 2021
Copyright 2014-2020 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us