Progress on minimum wage in 2011: government

http://www.macaubusiness.com/news/progress-on-minimum-wage-in-2011-government/5994/

The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Francis Tam Pak Yuen, said yesterday that the government hopes to acquire “a consensus on a certain level” in 2011 regarding the implementation of a minimum wage in Macau.

Mr Tam said that such consensus could then work as a framework for Macau to begin the legislative process on this area.

“There is a possibility to launch the work on a legislation framework next year”, he added.

According to Mr Tam, cleaning, security and property management could become the first industries chosen to implement the measure.

A recent survey commissioned by the Macau Federation of Trade Unions concluded that the majority of the 4,290 respondents were in favour of an hourly minimum wage between MOP30 and MOP34. A total of 85 percent of respondents said they supported the creation of legislation on minimum wage.

The Standing Committee for the Coordination of Social Affairs will discuss the minimum wage for the first time in November.