Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the average daily wage of construction workers increased by 9.5% quarter-to-quarter to MOP771 in the third quarter of 2015, due to increase in demand for workers engaging in interior finishing works of large-scale entertainment facilities in progress in Cotai. The average daily wage of non-resident construction workers (MOP661) rose by 8.5% quarter-to-quarter, while that of local construction workers (MOP980) went up by 3.7%.

The average daily wage of skilled & semi-skilled workers was MOP776, up by 9.8% quarter-to-quarter. Among the principal occupations, the average daily wages of carpenters (MOP931), concrete formwork carpenters (MOP897) and electricians & electrical workers (MOP818) increased by 5.8%, 4.3% and 3.9% quarter-to-quarter respectively. However, the average daily wage of plumbers (MOP711) fell by 8.4%. Meanwhile, the average daily wage of unskilled workers was MOP398, down by 1.7%.

After discounting the effect of inflation, the wage index of construction workers (101.9) increased by 3.8% quarter-to-quarter in real terms, while that of local construction workers (126.4) rose by 1.2%.

As regards construction materials, the average price of concrete increased by 3.0% quarter-to-quarter, at MOP784 per cubic metre in the third quarter of 2015; the average price of spiral & round reinforcing steel bars decreased by 0.8% to MOP4,533 per tonne. Meanwhile, the price index of construction materials for residential buildings (132.2) in the third quarter of 2015 edged up by 0.5% quarter-to-quarter.