Macau | Construction workers’ daily salary up 5.9 pct in 2017

Macau (MNA) – Average daily wages for construction workers in the Macau SAR increased to MOP835 in 2017, up 5.9 per cent when compared to MOP788 in 2016, official data by the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) revealed on Thursday.

In particular, average daily wages for local construction workers increased 5.7 per cent to MOP1,051.

However, the average daily wage of construction workers decreased 4.1 per cent quarter-on-quarter to MOP798 (US$98.84) during the third quarter of the year. The average daily wages for local workers decreased 3.3 per cent to MOP1,017 and was down 5.6 per cent for non-resident workers to MOP675.

Wages in the sector decreased after completion of ‘several large-scale entertainment facilities and residential projects,’ DSEC said.

The average wage index of construction workers in 2017 was up 5.8 per cent year-on-year despite a decline in the second half of the year. The index grew 2.6 per cent for local construction workers. The index takes 2010 as base year and excludes inflation.

The wage index of construction workers in the fourth quarter of 2017 decreased 4.6 per cent quarter-on-quarter in real terms, with the index for locals shrinking 3.2 per cent.

On the other hand, the price index of construction materials for residential buildings in 2017 increased 1.8 per cent year-on-year, and 2.6 per cent quarter-on-quarter in the fourth quarter.

[Edited by Sheyla Zandonai]