87 employers fined in 2018 for illegal driver violations – Labour Affairs

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Macau (MNA) – The Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) told MNA that it has fined 87 employers in 2018 for labour infractions connected to the assigning of non-resident workers under their clock performing otherwise unlicensed driver functions, with about MOP600,000 (US$74,211) handed out in fines.

According to data sent to MNA by the DSAL, 79 employers were fined for hiring non-residents under a work permit that did not grant them authorisation to work as drivers for a total MOP512,500.

In addition to the 79, four employers were fined (MOP47,500) for using drivers whose working permits (aka as Blue Cards) were registered with a different company, while four more were fined (MOP40,000) for allowing their own drivers to work for other employees.

In a separate category, seven non-residents were also fined for working as self-employed drivers, with fines amounting to MOP140,000.

Under a Macau law enforced in 1984, Mainland Chinese drivers can obtain a special driving permit valid for one year and renewable if authorised by a local representative from the original Mainland Chinese company, with drivers only allowed to drive vehicles with dual licence plates from the two regions.

Current local traffic regulations also allow foreign citizens to obtain a local driving permit if they pass the city’s driving examination.

Still according to the data provided to MNA by DSAL, the Bureau also revoked authorisation to hire non-residents of eight of the fined employers, barring them from proceeding with new working permit applications for foreign labour force for a period of six months to one year.

Earlier this month, a 22-year old local student driving a motorcycle was killed after a collision with a car from junket operator Seng Keng Group, which was reportedly being driven by a 40-year old non-resident Chinese man without a special driving permit.

The incident led to a protest on March 7 against a possible mutual driving license recognition agreement between Macau and Mainland China.

The DSAL Director, Wong Chi Hon, has previously indicated that investigation to assess if the company had hired an unlicensed driver will take about a month to be conclude.