The Livelihood Affairs Bureau of the Guangdong-Macau In-Depth Cooperation Zone recently announced the “Provisional Measures to Support the Employment of Macau Youth.” Starting next month, young residents of the Macau SAR employed in Hengqin will receive a monthly subsidy of 4,000 yuan, a positive signal for job seekers. I believe this policy will help promote employment opportunities for Macau residents in the Cooperation Zone. I hope young residents will seize these opportunities, work diligently to enhance their knowledge and personal skills, and actively participate in the country’s development.
The Master Plan for the Development of the Guangdong-Macau In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin outlines three phases of development. With the first phase set to conclude in 2024, the second phase aims to achieve its objectives by 2029, including employing approximately 40,000 Macau residents in the Cooperation Zone and accommodating around 60,000 Macau residents living there.
In recent years, the Macau SAR Government has launched various internship programs to provide entry channels and connect candidates with companies in the Cooperation Zone. However, surveys conducted in Hengqin indicate that the alignment between Macau job seekers and job opportunities remains relatively low. The Government has since announced a review mechanism in partnership with Hengqin organizations, aiming to improve these outcomes.
Economic diversification is essential for Macau, and the development of Hengqin is intended to facilitate this. With the support of the Central Government and the active promotion of Guangdong and Macau, many large enterprises are now established in Hengqin, and numerous Macau residents are already seeking job opportunities and spaces for development. However, salary disparities between Macau and mainland China continue to cause hesitation among job seekers. Employment prospects and personal development are closely tied to socioeconomic conditions, the economic structure, and current policies. The recently introduced subsidies may help reduce the salary gap between the two regions, encouraging Macau residents to pursue opportunities in Hengqin.
Professional skills are also crucial for employability, particularly in the “1+4” industries, which require specific qualifications and competencies. I hope the Government will introduce additional supportive policies, including talent development mechanisms for industry-academia cooperation and platforms for vocational training, certification, and job matching aligned with industrial development. This would foster more effective connections between residents and the labor market in the Cooperation Zone, contributing to a sustainable economic diversification model under “1+4.” Meanwhile, Macau residents should focus on continuous learning and skill enhancement.
Finally, business and professional development cannot succeed without governmental support and various measures. The opening of the Hengqin Line of the Light Rapid Transit (LRT) and the continuous optimization of border crossings have already improved transportation convenience. Further efforts are needed to enhance transport links between the two regions, making travel even more efficient. Additionally, labor protections should be strengthened to effectively safeguard the labor rights and interests of Macau residents working in the Guangdong-Macau In-Depth Cooperation Zone, creating a more stable and favorable working environment.
Federation of Macau Workers’ Associations