At a meeting with the Macau Labor Affairs Bureau on Tuesday, Filipino and Indonesian migrant worker groups, together with an international migrant worker organization, called for a raise in the minimum wage for domestic workers and an overall review of domestic worker policy in Macau, Macao Daily News reported.
The groups requested that the government clearly define labor standards in the standard employment contract, and to include domestic workers in a proposal that would increase the minimum wage in Macau to 4,500 Macau patacas (US$560).
The groups also requested that the government increase the outdated monthly housing allowance, from 500 Macau patacas to 1,000 patacas ($124).
As there are employment agencies known to be overcharging clients, the groups also requested that the government closely monitor agency fees to ensure that the agencies follow the law.
The meeting, which lasted over two hours, was attended by deputy director of the bureau Ng Wai-han and head of the bureau’s Labor Inspection Department Kenny Lai, Macau Daily Times reported.
Government officials said they were unable to set a minimum wage, as they must consider the market needs of different industries and employers.