Monthly minimum wage for cleaning and security personnel set around MOP6,200

2014/6/13

From：Macau Daily Times

The minimum wage for cleaning and security personnel working under property management companies has been set at MOP30 per hour, the Executive Council (ExCo) spokesperson, Mr Leong Heng Teng, revealed yesterday in a press conference. The ExCo has concluded discussions on the bill that will soon be presented to the Legislative Assembly.
“At this stage, it is rather adequate to start [introducing a minimum wage] in the area of property management, addressing those working in the cleaning and security sectors,” said Leong Heng Teng, stressing that the government intends to improve the living conditions of low-paid employees.
In 2007, the MSAR government implemented, as a pilot, a minimum wage for cleaning and security personnel working for public services. After the new law comes into force, this requirement will be extended to those working under property management sectors.
The minimum wage has now been set at MOP30 per hour, MOP2 more than previously suggested by the government, who had last fixed it at MOP28. This will represent a salary of around MOP6,240 per month, or MOP240 per day. The bill also states that the minimum wage value shall be revised annually.
Furthermore, Leong Heng
Teng explained that, in the diploma, the minimum wage is equivalent to the basic remuneration discussed in article 59 of the Labor Relations Law. However, this does not include remuneration related to overtime, a 13th month salary or any other similar benefits.
The minimum wage will be applied to contracts that have already been signed prior to the law taking effect.
The battle for introducing a minimum wage for security and cleaning personnel has dragged on for years as workers and employers have tried to reach a consensus. The employees’ side had always argued for the higher ceiling of MOP30. They had also always bargained for it to be revised each year, while the government instead suggested a revision every three years.
Leong Heng Teng recalled that there are around 11,800 employees working within security and cleaning sectors. Questioned by reporters, the ExCo’s spokesperson refused to confirm if this minimum wage will later be applied or expanded to other employees working in different sectors.
“These employees aren’t [highly] qualified. I believe that, after we move forward with the bill, we will have more experience and further results, so that we can then think about what the next step will be (…) Only then can we think about whether we will be able to expand the measure to all employees,” he stated.
Leong Heng Teng said that the bill will be soon presented to the Legislative Assembly for discussion.

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