Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the average daily wage of construction workers increased by 1.8% quarter-to-quarter to MOP830 in the first quarter of 2017. The average daily wage of non-resident construction workers (MOP750) rose by 4.0% quarter-to-quarter, and that of local construction workers (MOP1,045) edged up by 0.4%.
The average daily wage of skilled & semi-skilled workers (MOP834) increased by 1.8% quarter-to-quarter, attributable to a 3.9% rise in the average wage of skilled & semi-skilled non-resident construction workers (MOP753). Notable increase was observed in the wages for some occupations due to the commencement of interior finishing works of hotels and large residential projects. The average daily wages of fire service mechanics (MOP1,075), air-conditioning mechanics (MOP985) and bricklayers & plasterers (MOP757) increased by 15.1%, 11.7% and 9.6% respectively, while the wages of plumbers (MOP791) decreased by 6.1%. Meanwhile, the average daily wage of unskilled workers rose by 6.1% to MOP433.
After discounting the effect of inflation, the wage index of construction workers (107.5) for the first quarter of 2017 increased by 3.6% quarter-to-quarter in real terms, and that of local construction workers (133.2) went up by 1.2%.
As regards construction materials, the average price of concrete fell by 5.0% quarter-to-quarter to MOP783 per cubic metre, while that of spiral & round reinforcing steel bars rose by 1.9% to MOP4,590 per tonne. The price index of construction materials for residential buildings was 133.2 in the first quarter of 2017, down slightly by 0.5% quarter-to-quarter.