Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Macau Special Administrative Region (Ratification: 1999)

Articles 1, 2 and 3 of the Convention. Active employment policy. Consultation with social partners. The Committee notes the detailed information provided by the Government on labour market trends, in reply to the 2012 direct request. The Government indicates that the overall unemployment rate has been kept below 3 per cent continuously since the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2010, decreasing to 1.7 per cent in the first quarter of 2014, and considers that it is an indication that full employment has been achieved. The Government also indicates that it has actively introduced vocational skills tests for more than 20 occupations to promote employment in different sectors. The Labour Affairs Bureau issued vocational skills certificates to 4,915 persons in total from 2011 until May 2014. The Committee notes that pursuant to Law No. 4/2013, which revises Law No. 21/2009 on the employment of non-resident workers, the Government has since 2011 periodically released the application and processing conditions of non-resident workers to the public and disseminated the relevant administrative rules and regulations through the media. The Committee notes that employers and workers present their views at the Standing Committee for the Coordination of Social Affairs, including the advisory body composed of the tripartite representatives. The Committee invites the Government to continue providing information, including statistical data, on the employment trends in various sectors. It also invites the Government to provide information on active employment policies and measures including the results of the adoption of Law No. 4 of 2013 on the integration of foreign workers in the local labour market. Please also include updated information on the manner in which social partners participate in the formulation of employment policies.

Vulnerable workers. The Committee notes that the Economic Bureau has introduced Administrative Regulation No. 12/2013 concerning a young entrepreneurs’ aid scheme in order to provide tax-free assistance for young entrepreneurs. The Committee also notes that the Working Group for the Development of Capabilities, operating under the guidance of the Labour Affairs Bureau, registered 193 jobseekers with disabilities, 136 of whom were successfully employed during the reporting period. The Government indicates that statistics under a rewards scheme show that the number of enterprises employing persons with disabilities increased from 60 in 2011 to 65 in 2013 and that the number of employed workers with disabilities increased from 201 in 2011 to 214 in 2013. The Committee invites the Government to include information on measures implemented to improve the employment opportunities for vulnerable workers, including young people and persons with disabilities.

Atypical forms of employment. The Committee notes that the Government is currently analysing the written opinions concerning draft legislation on the non full-time working system submitted in March 2014 by employers’ and workers’ representatives. The Committee invites the Government to include information on any developments towards the adoption of legislation on non-full-time working arrangements and the impact of the legislative changes on employment.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Committee notes that the Economic Bureau has introduced new measures including providing financial benefits to traditional industries and promoting high value-added industries, organizing activities and training courses to support local SMEs, and optimizing the business environment and strengthening the brand awareness of local SMEs. The Committee also notes that the Macau Trade and Investment Promotion Institute has implemented measures, which include assisting SMEs to participate in exhibitions and establish their own brands to expand the market. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on the impact of the measures taken in relation to SMEs in relation to promote employment.

Vocational education and training. The Committee notes that the Talents Development Committee was established in January 2014 and its main responsibilities include the formulation and coordination of the general long-term development strategy for talent cultivation, and the design and implementation of short- to long-term policies and measures. Moreover, the Committee notes the vocational education and training measures implemented to enhance vocational training for middle-aged workers and disadvantaged groups. Vocational training courses offered by the Government from June 2011 to May 2014 resulted in 29,737 persons obtaining various forms of training. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on the impact of policies and measures for vocational education and training, including updated information on the activities of the Talents Development Committee.