In the first half of this year, the percentage of local workers occupying mid and senior-level positions within Macau’s six major gaming concessionaires has reached 90.35%, according to the latest findings from Macau’s Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL). This significant achievement highlights a steady increase in local representation in key positions, reflecting the government’s ongoing efforts to ensure local workers play a central role in the region’s dominant gaming and tourism industry.
The data, published by Macau’s DSAL, sheds light on the labor composition within the “Big Six” operators: Sands China, Galaxy Entertainment, Wynn Macau, MGM China, Melco Resorts, and SJM Holdings. In total, these companies employ 27,140 non-resident workers alongside a much larger local workforce of 76,225 employees.
The DSAL’s findings not only underline the current employment distribution but also reflect the government’s broader employment policies aimed at maintaining a strong local presence in leadership roles. The bureau emphasized its target of keeping at least 85% of mid- and senior-management positions filled by locals, a benchmark that has now risen to an impressive 90.35%.
Rising Local Representation: A Key Employment Milestone
The increase in local representation in management roles is significant in the context of Macau’s heavily tourism-driven economy. As the only region in China where casino gambling is legal, the gaming sector serves as the backbone of Macau’s economy, providing vast employment opportunities. However, these opportunities have often been a point of contention, with local workers and lawmakers seeking greater representation in decision-making and leadership roles within the industry.
In its statement, the DSAL acknowledged the importance of maintaining a high percentage of local workers in leadership roles, both as a matter of public policy and socio-economic stability. The government has worked closely with the gaming operators to ensure that the threshold of 85% local workers in management positions is consistently met. The recent rise to over 90% further cements the government’s commitment to prioritizing local employment.
This milestone also comes in response to long-standing concerns from local lawmakers and labor groups, who have previously voiced apprehensions regarding the potential over-reliance on non-resident workers. Song Pek Kei, a prominent lawmaker, raised concerns about the adequacy of local workers’ job security, questioning whether enough was being done to safeguard employment for Macau residents. The DSAL’s data appears to be a direct response to these concerns, demonstrating a proactive approach to addressing local employment issues in the gaming sector.
Balancing Local and Non-Resident Workforce Needs
While the DSAL’s findings showcase a strong local presence in management roles, the bureau also emphasized that non-resident workers remain a necessary component of Macau’s gaming industry. The unique demands of Macau’s status as a world-class tourism and entertainment hub necessitate a diverse workforce that includes both local and international talent.
According to the DSAL, hiring non-resident workers is essential for sustaining Macau’s economic growth and maintaining its competitive edge in the global tourism industry. The bureau pointed out that non-resident workers fulfill roles that may be harder to fill locally, particularly in specialized areas where specific expertise or international experience is required.
This approach aligns with the Macau government’s broader strategy of fostering economic diversification and enhancing its standing as a global center for tourism and leisure. The DSAL has committed to rigorously monitoring the approval process for non-resident worker permits to ensure that local workers’ opportunities are not compromised, while also ensuring that the sector has access to the necessary talent pool to continue thriving.
Macau’s ‘Big Six’ as Key Industry Players
Macau’s ‘Big Six’ concessionaires – Sands China, Galaxy Entertainment, Wynn Macau, MGM China, Melco Resorts, and SJM Holdings – play a pivotal role in driving employment trends in the region. Together, these companies represent the vast majority of Macau’s gaming operations, and their workforce strategies have a direct impact on the local economy.
In the first half of 2023, the combined workforce of these six operators stood at over 100,000 employees, with a significant majority being local residents. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the ‘Big Six’ have not only adhered to government mandates regarding local employment but have also taken steps to improve working conditions and salaries for their employees.
Recent developments in the sector include wage increases for employees, a move that came shortly after lawmakers advocated for improved welfare and benefits for gaming sector workers. The increases in salaries, coupled with the rising proportion of local workers in management roles, demonstrate the positive ripple effects of government policies and labor advocacy in Macau’s gaming industry.
Safeguarding Local Employment: A Response to Lawmaker Concerns
Despite the encouraging figures from the DSAL, concerns about local employment in the gaming sector have persisted among some lawmakers and advocacy groups. Lawmaker Song Pek Kei has been particularly vocal in highlighting the need for greater protection of local workers, expressing worries that the influx of non-resident workers might undermine job security for Macau residents.
Song Pek Kei’s concerns center around the potential for local workers to be sidelined in favor of cheaper non-resident labor, particularly in entry-level or low-skilled positions. While the DSAL’s data points to a strong local presence in management roles, the lawmaker has urged the government to ensure that this trend is mirrored across all levels of employment within the gaming industry.
In response to these concerns, the DSAL reiterated its commitment to “rigorously monitor” the approval of non-resident worker permits. The bureau also emphasized that it would continue to review and improve its processes to strike a balance between the need for non-resident labor and the protection of local workers’ rights.
Inclusive Employment: The Role of Macau’s ‘Big Six’ in Supporting Workers with Disabilities
Beyond their contributions to the general workforce, Macau’s ‘Big Six’ concessionaires have also been recognized for their efforts to employ individuals with disabilities. The National Director of Macau Special Olympics has praised the gaming operators for playing a key role in providing employment opportunities for people with disabilities, underscoring the industry’s commitment to inclusivity.
These efforts are part of a broader trend within Macau’s gaming sector to foster corporate social responsibility and create more diverse and inclusive workplaces. By offering employment to individuals with disabilities, the ‘Big Six’ are not only supporting local labor markets but are also helping to reduce social stigmas and provide meaningful career opportunities to marginalized groups.
The Future of Employment in Macau’s Gaming Industry
As Macau’s gaming industry continues to grow, the issue of local versus non-resident employment is likely to remain a focal point for policymakers, labor groups, and gaming operators alike. The DSAL’s recent report highlights encouraging trends, particularly in terms of local workers’ representation in leadership roles, but it also points to ongoing challenges in maintaining a delicate balance between local and non-resident employment.
The rise in local representation in mid and senior-management roles is undoubtedly a positive development, reflecting the success of government policies aimed at safeguarding local jobs. However, as lawmaker Song Pek Kei and others have pointed out, there is still work to be done to ensure that local workers are adequately protected across all levels of the gaming industry.
The DSAL has committed to addressing these concerns through stricter monitoring of non-resident worker permits and continuous improvements to its approval processes. At the same time, the bureau recognizes the importance of non-resident workers in supporting the growth and development of Macau’s gaming and tourism industries.
In the coming years, the key challenge for Macau’s government and gaming operators will be to maintain this balance, ensuring that local workers continue to have access to meaningful career opportunities while also leveraging the expertise and diversity that non-resident workers bring to the table.
With the industry poised for further growth, particularly as Macau seeks to diversify its economy beyond gaming, the future of employment in the region will likely be shaped by these evolving dynamics. The government’s continued focus on promoting local employment, coupled with the gaming operators’ commitment to improving working conditions and fostering inclusivity, suggests a positive trajectory for Macau’s labor market in the years to come.
Macau’s gaming sector continues to play a crucial role in the local economy, employing a large number of both resident and non-resident workers. The DSAL’s recent report on the increase in local representation in mid and senior-management roles is a testament to the government’s efforts to prioritize local employment, while also balancing the needs of the industry.
With the ‘Big Six’ operators leading the charge, Macau’s gaming sector appears well-positioned to continue providing significant employment opportunities for local workers, while also embracing inclusivity and diversity in the workforce. As the industry evolves, the challenge will be to ensure that these positive trends continue, benefiting both the local workforce and the broader socio-economic landscape of Macau.