New measures to curb employment of foreign workers

The Government will introduce a series of measures to limit the employment of foreign workers, to boost the employment of local workers in Macao. This was announced by the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Francis Tam Pak Yuen, when attended a special meeting in the Legislative Council. Mr Tam gave details of the measures to legislators and to hear their comments. He said the government would: - Effective 1 January 2009, not approval any application for importing foreign labour to fill in supervisory positions in the gaming industry, - With immediate effect, not accept any new application for the import of construction workers. The Government would review the present situation and may gradually reduce the numbers already here, and - Halve the number of foreign workers currently employed as cleaners or security guards, by not renewing contracts when they expire. Mr Tam explained the move was aimed at lowering the unemployment rate of local workers in Macao.