Macau must avoid jobs for the boys
The unexplained sackings of three former Hong Kong police officers from senior security positions at the Venetian Macao casino just months before it opens has fuelled speculation about political pressure to give such jobs to locals. The recruitment of foreigners for relatively well-paid jobs in the enclave's gaming industry is a sensitive local issue. The resentment of the unskilled, poorly paid and unemployed boiled over in the May Day march, leading to violent clashes with police.
The per capita gross domestic product of 227,508 patacas last year, which surpassed Hong Kong's HK$214,710, and a median monthly income for unskilled workers of less than 4,000 patacas lend weight to their complaint that the economic benefits of the casino boom remain to be fairly distributed. Their anger at the influx of low-skilled mainlanders in particular is understandable.
Whatever the reasons behind the abrupt terminations of foreign security experts, Macau has to come to terms with its transformation from a backwater with a local casino monopoly into an international gaming and convention centre. If it wants to be seen as the Las Vegas of Asia, it cannot afford a small-town mentality of jobs for locals.
With only half a million people, Macau until recently had a limited number of high-end employment opportunities, so many people came to Hong Kong in search of work. Now, however, with a growing demand for expertise, there is an argument for opening up the labour market to foreign talent.
The integrity of gaming operations is paramount to Macau's international reputation. Senior security positions are, therefore, sensitive appointments, especially in view of fears of a resurgence of organised crime.
Macau is a small place with close family and social networks. Casino operators could be expected to have concerns about employing former local police officers with connections to unsavory elements. Everything must be seen to be above board. The mere perception of such connections would not be helpful.
The Macau authorities would be sensible to bear this in mind when pressing the employment expectations of locals.
