Since 2019, the number of non-resident workers employed inside Macau casinos has dropped 32.6 percent.
According to the Macau Labor Affairs Bureau (DSAL), more than 11,400 non-resident workers have left their positions since 2019, just before the onset of Covid-19.
The DSAL acknowledged its preference for resident employees, and said it would look to “ensure the priority and continuous employment of local employees” and “review the labor market conditions in a timely manner to regulate the number of non-local employees.”
On future employment opportunities in the city’s dominant industry, the DSAL stated, “If there are suitable or sufficient local employees for the relevant positions, the application of non-local employees with corresponding occupations will not be approved or the company will be required to arrange for relevant foreign employees to leave the field.”
Non-residents may not work on the casino floor, but many are employed in other areas of the integrated resorts. According to Inside Asian Gaming, prior to the pandemic, labor costs were an issue of concern for operators, especially on the casino floor, “due to a lack of locally available talent and nearly full employment.”
Since Covid and the subsequent economic slump, unemployment has risen to 2.9 percent, the highest since 2009.
