Macau workers plan big protest against corruption
Thousands of demonstrators are set to take to the streets of Macau on National Day tomorrow to protest against grievances ranging from parking problems to corruption concerns.
Among them will be workers left out of the economic boom, residents angry about corruption, political activists pressing for democracy, conservationists demanding better urban planning and motorcyclists standing up against a 'bad' traffic law.
It will be the first time that the national occasion will be marked with protests in Macau - a sign that social ills in the former Portuguese enclave are reaching boiling point.
The Macau Workers Union, the main organiser of the May Day rally earlier this year, has called on labourers to take their frustrations to the streets tomorrow.
'Despite the May Day protest, the government has turned a blind eye to workers' demands,' said Tang Kuok-leong, a leader of the union. 'Our fellow workers have realised that government corruption is the root cause of their woes.'
Violent clashes broke out on May Day after some 6,000 demonstrators took part in public rallies. A policeman fired shots into the air and one of his bullets struck a motorcyclist not involved in the protest who was 300 metres away.
Security police chief Lei Siu-peng said enough officers would be deployed to control the demonstration. He said his force had been well trained and there was no need for extra guidance on the use of firearms. 'They have always been restrained,' Mr Lei said.
Labour protests in Macau used to target government policies, but in the May Day rally, workers mounted fierce attacks on corruption as well.
A corruption scandal involving former minister Ao Man-long and recent revelations of high officials' suspect assets have focused public attention on graft.
Hundreds of motorcyclists will stage a slow-ride protest tomorrow when an unpopular traffic law takes effect. Some mounted a slow-ride protest yesterday.
There are more than 80,000 motorcycles in the city, but less than 30,000 parking spaces for them. Illegal parking is inevitable and motorcyclists often ignore the parking tickets they receive.
But the new traffic law will toughen enforcement of fines for illegal parking, and those who fail to pay will be unable to renew their vehicle licences.
The timing of the rally has caused disputes among union leaders as it may draw Beijing's ire. 'It's like attacking the son when the father is throwing a party,' said a union leader who declined to be named.
In the May Day protest, many workers were pinning their hopes on Beijing's intervention to change Macau.
Workers on the bottom rung of society complain of a lack of jobs and low pay, while mainland labour floods in to drive the casino boom.
Political commentator Larry So Man-yum said fear of offending Beijing would cut into the number of workers in the protest, but the overall turnout looked set to surpass the May Day rally.
He said some protest organisers had copied Hong Kong by choosing a date of political significance to Beijing.
'Apparently, it's a copycat move. Hongkongers took to the streets on July 1', the handover anniversary, he said.
