The law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" took effect on August 13, 2010, and the Cross-departmental Working Team spared no effort in combating illegal accommodation in the past year. Such combating operations will be carried on.
To date, according to the reports and archives of Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), a total of 1029 premises were checked and 152 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed. After a period of investigating and tracking, 219 suspected premises under investigation previously are believed not being used to provide illegal accommodation any more, proving that the new law has created deterrent effect. Inspections involved investigations to a total of 722 occupants of premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, including 39 overstayers and 29 illegal immigrants, whose cases are being followed up by police authorities. MGTO has waged a total of 152 sanctions and 46 operators who provided accommodation illegally were fined 200 000 patacas each according to the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation". To date, 2 operators have voluntarily paid the fine within the statutory period and 15 are facing enforced collection. At the same time, 26 occupants who failed to fulfill their duty of cooperation were fined 3,000 patacas each, among which 12 have already paid the fine. Also, 2 touts were fined 20 000 patacas each. One company suspected to provide false declaration to MGTO is subject to criminal liability and the cases are being submitted to Public Prosecution Office for follow up.
It has been a year since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" came into force. In the process of law enforcement, there were challenges, involving changing of operating pattern of these illegal activities, and the complexity of the problem stems from the issue not only affects the residents but also the security of the society and has aroused public concern. Therefore, it is necessary for MGTO to conduct analysis and adjust strategy to cope with the new situation.
Meanwhile, MGTO is recruiting staff to further step up enforcement and enhance efficiency. Apart from combating actions, MGTO and Legal Affairs Bureau have printed posters and leaflets for distribution and launched promotional video and commercials on local TV and radio stations to promote awareness among visitors and residents. Video encouraging visitors to stay in legal accommodation is shown on Mainland TV stations and TV screens at the checkpoints. Similar message are sent to mobile phones of Mainland visitors in Macau and the Mainland. MGTO also cooperate with search engine providers such as Yahoo and Google to show promotional information on the law and legal accommodation when the user search for accommodation information in Macau using certain key words. To further facilitate reporting by the public, MGTO has produced key chains with hotline numbers and website to be distributed by related associations. Combating illegal accommodation is a long term operation. MGTO has been maintaining close communication with the society to obtain more information and is grateful for the opinions from related community groups and landlord associations which have highly facilitated the enforcement action. The public is urged to report suspected premises by calling the 24-hour hotline 2833 3000 or using the online report service launched by MGTO. Complainant can log on to MGTO's website (Chinese/English) http://www.macautourism.gov.mo and click the banner of "Online Complaint against Illegal Accommodation" to file a report.
