Secretary for Transport and Public Works Raimundo do Rosário asked the public yesterday to give the government some time to tackle the issue of unemployment among local construction workers.
Rosário made the remarks yesterday when asked about the matter on the sidelines of a ceremony that marked the swearing-in of the new-term board members of the Macau Construction Association at MGM Cotai.
About 300 construction workers went to the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) on Monday to register unemployed. Talking to reporters, the workers pointed out that while the government has been working on multiple construction projects in recent years, the unemployment situation in the construction sector has deteriorated. The workers urged the government to order sub-contractors to hire local residents for construction projects in order to lower the sector’s unemployment rate.
Rosário said that he had spoken to the president of the Macau Construction Association about the situation. He pointed out that the situation of construction workers telling the Labour Affairs Bureau that they are out of job only emerged a few days ago, and therefore the public should give the government some time to solve the issue. He added that he only read about the workers’ predicament in a newspaper and hadn’t had the time yet to understand the whole situation.
Rosário insisted that the number of private and government construction projects is enough to sustain the industry, adding that at least until 2024 the number of project will be sufficient for the sector.
When asked whether the government would require construction companies to hire more locals, Rosário said that the government had never had such a regulation. He added that he didn’t dare to speculate whether there will be such a regulation in the future.
Macau Construction Association President Lo Chi Cheong told reporters on the sidelines of the ceremony that there was only a small number of residents that have the ability, skills and willingness to work in the construction sector. He said that occupational training was required to become a construction worker, therefore, he added, his association was urging the Labour Affairs Bureau to provide more training for people who are interested in working in the sector.
Lo pointed out that while the sector is constantly looking for workers, there are workers who are looking for jobs in the sector. He suggested the government implement a licensing policy for construction workers as this would enable the sector to identify qualified workers for companies that are looking for new staff.
Tidal gate & recycling water projects
Moreover, Rosário noted that the government has hired a company to do research and simulation for an Inner Harbour tidal gate in the river between the west coast of the Macau peninsula near Barra and Wanzai in Zhuhai. He said the result of the assessment would be announced in April or May.
When asked about the recycling water project that was intended for the Zone A reclamation area, Rosário underlined that the government has been working on it, adding that more information would be announced in the second or third quarter of this year at the latest.
Secretary for Transport and Public Works Raimundo do Rosário talks to reporters on the sidelines of yesterday’s Macau Construction Association inauguration ceremony at MGM Cotai. Photo: Prisca Tang
