The MSAR Government “pays great attention to foreign labour policy” but also “highly values protecting local workers’ employment and quality of life,” Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On said yesterday.
In a meeting with Singapore’s minister for Manpower Gan Kim Yong, Chui stressed the similarities between the two territories’ development. In both cases, he explained, the quick development and shortage of human resources mean authorities “are forced to resort to the importation of labour”.
It’s necessary for Macau to attract talents from outside to complement the shortage of local workers, the Chief Executive added.
Gan confirmed this view and revealed that one third of Singapore’s active population is made up of non-resident workers. Foreign labour policies, he said, are meant to plug the human resources gap in the local market. Besides ensuring a sustainable development of the city-state’s economy, it makes for a dynamic and flexible labour market, the minister added.
Still, Gan emphasised, Singapore has strived to boost the competitiveness of its own human resources, particularly by investing on life-long learning. For instance, he said, the territory has launched a subsidy to promote the training of local workers.
The Macau Government is also keen on supporting life-long learning, Chui said. The Chief Executive underlined the creation of a development program that gives each local resident aged 15 or above MOP 5,000 subsidy – one of the promises made in the 2011 Policy Address.
The meeting with Singapore’s minister of Manpower was the last stop in Chui’s official four-day visit to the territory. The Chief Executive and his delegation returned to Macau yesterday.