TACKLING SOCIAL INEQUALITY
Coutinho told CNA he also wants stronger policies to be formulated to tackle social inequality.
“We have already seen a huge and increasingly unequal society here since the COVID (pandemic). Inequality is a very important issue to be tackled,” he added.
“We are tackling these issues right now with the government policies such as subsidising, giving direct subsidies to the poor families and the middle-income.”
Social service organisations like Caritas Macau said they foresee more people, especially the elderly and migrant workers, requiring help.
Since the city’s handover to China in 1999, the Macao authorities have been placing strong emphasis on social welfare under the guidance of the Chinese central government.
Caritas, which has been assisting needy residents for more than 40 years, is able to help at least 10,000 people every year with the authorities’ support through services like food bank handouts and elderly care services.
“Macao has 170,000 migrant workers, among them more than 70,000 are non-Chinese speaking. They come from different countries and are deeply in need of our support. Unfortunately, our support to them is very limited,” said Caritas’ secretary-general Paul Pun.
“Basically, there’s no social welfare or financial assistance for them.”
Aside from chasing higher economic growth, some residents believe the authorities should also strive to cultivate a community that will preserve the values and unique culture of Macao – rich with Chinese and Portuguese heritage.
