The government has finally launched a public consultation on the proposal to establish a trade union law in Macau.
The public consultation document, presented on Saturday by the Office of Labor Affairs (DSAL), contains remarks on the government’s intention to create a scheme that excludes certain occupational sectors. These include civil servants and other professions related to public services such as health care, transport and public services. The government intends to regulate their participation in professional associations through separate regulations.
Regarding the security forces, the government intends to completely exclude people exercising these professions, citing the incompatibility of the law with their professional obligations.
“Regarding professions or sectors which provide services in response to the basic needs of the population – for example, sectors of public interest, including water supply, electricity, public transport and communication infrastructure , among others, as well as the health sector which takes responsibility for saving lives – it is necessary to maintain [their] continuous operation, to guarantee the interests of society ”, indicates the public consultation document, in the chapter relating to the scope and application of the law.
The same document adds: “In view of the general interest, it seems appropriate, except for agents of the security forces and services, to establish rules on the exercise of trade union rights for workers in certain professions.
The question of these restrictions sheds light on a series of questions in the public consultation. The government is calling on the public to voice their opinion on which, if not all, professions should be included in a separate scheme because of their direct impact on people’s livelihoods.
The decision to exclude the security forces and services, as well as the creation of a special regime for civil servants and other public officials, would come from reviews and comparisons of similar regulations applied by several other countries and regions, including Singapore, Malaysia, Portugal, Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
According to the DSAL, “most of these countries or regions establish provisions for two types of professions (military personnel and civil servants) concerning the organization and participation in trade union associations, or even the exercise of the right of association, different from those of workers. in general.”
DSAL officials also assert that the exclusion of members of the security forces and services from the right to organize is also justified by the terms of their statutes and statutes relating to their functions. These regulations state that these workers must “[abstain] to be affiliated with associations of a political or trade union nature, or to participate in any activities carried out by these, as well as to present or promote petitions addressed to the government or to hierarchical superiors on matters of a political or service nature », Among other functions.
The same officials also said that an important component of the preparation of the trade union law was to “strike a balance” between the rights of citizens and the duties imposed by the professions, especially in the case of civil servants and other service workers. public.
The public consultation was open for public comment and input since yesterday and will remain open until December 14, a total of 45 days.
In addition, DSAL will also hold four public sessions where the public can express their views in person.
Sessions will be held at the World Trade Center building on November 7, 12, 27 and December 5.
Registration and review submission can be done online via a page specially dedicated to this public consultation, available only in Chinese and Portuguese.