Human Resources Office opens

The Human Resources Office, a government agency responsible for analysing the labour market in Macao and examining imported labour applications, opened today. The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, officiated at a swearing-in ceremony of the Office's Co-ordinator, Mr Wong Chi Hong, and his deputy, Ms Lou Soi Peng. Speaking to the press after the ceremony, Mr Tam said the Office's establishment was to enhance efficiency of handling applications and to streamline the procedure. Imported labour application would not be approved unless there are not enough local workers to fill the prescribed job, Mr Tam reiterated. The Office had set up a website (www.grh.gov.mo) and a hotline (2840-0400) to provide information about its functions. At another occasion, Mr Iong Kong Leong was sworn in as the new Deputy Director of the Finance Services Bureau in the afternoon. The ceremony was also witnessed by the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen. Meanwhile, the current Acting Deputy Director of the Statistics and Census Bureau, Ms Kong Pek Fong, will assume office as the Acting Director starting next month. This was announced by the Office of the Secretary for Economy and Finance in a press release. The incumbent Acting Director, Ms Mok Iun Lei, will become the Vice President of the Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Centre.