The Government is to come down hard on the employment of illegal workers by increasing penalties of up to 1.5 million patacas or three years imprisonment.

These proposals, discussed by the Executive Council and contained in a bill to be sent to the Legislative Assembly, are aimed at regulating the employment of imported labour.

The bill also stipulated that the employment of imported labour would only be granted when there is a shortage of local workers to fill the vacancies.

It also stipulated the criteria for employment of imported workers, including a clause to terminate the approval if employers are found to have dismissed local workers without reasons.

The bill would also require employers to pay a fee for each imported worker: money collected would be used on social security causes.

The bill would grant imported workers similar rights and protection as local workers.

Meanwhile, the Executive Council also passed a bill to increase the salary of civil servants by 7.2%, by raising the salary reference point from 55 patacas to 59 patacas.

The two bills would have to be passed by the Legislative Assembly for them to effectively become in law.