Secretary for Administration and Justice André Cheong Weng Chon reaffirmed on Thursday that while the government decided earlier this year to reduce the expenses of its various public entities, it will “certainly” not reduce its expenditure on residents’ welfare and public servants’ salaries and fringe benefits.
Cheong made the remarks at the start of Thursday’s Executive Council press conference in response to a wave of rumours claiming that the government would reduce public servants’ salaries and stop paying them their Christmas allowance.
Cheong pointed out that in response to the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Macao’s economy, the government has decided to reduce public entities’ “unnecessary” administrative expenditures.
Cheong pointed out that Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng has clearly said that the government will not reduce its spending on welfare for residents and public servants’ salaries and “the benefits they deserve to receive”, and that the public entities’ reduced spending will not affect the services run by the public administration.
Cheong noted that the city’s civil servants have remained firmly at their posts to carry out their COVID-19 prevention and control work and “selflessly” dedicated themselves to the fight against the epidemic, which has been widely praised and recognised by Macao residents.
Cheong also urged residents not to believe untrue rumours with ulterior motives.
(The Macau Post Daily/Macau News)
PHOTO © Exmoo
