The legitimate rights and interests of their respective workers are being safeguarded as Zhuhai and Macao institute cross-border legal aid services in a first-of-its-kind model of cooperation.

The Framework Agreement on the Zhuhai-Macao Workers Legal Service Center was signed Dec 7 by the Zhuhai Justice Bureau and trade union federations of Zhuhai and Macao. They plan working platforms, means of cooperation, service teams, legal aid and dispute procedures, and publicity channels.

For instance, if Macao residents of Zhuhai meet the city's legal aid conditions, they can be transferred to the Zhuhai Legal Aid Office through the Zhuhai-Macao Labor Legal Service Center. Chinese mainland residents who need assistance in labor disputes in the Macao area can be transferred to the Macau Federation of Trade Unions through the Macao-Zhuhai Labor Legal Service Center.

Zhuhai-Macao Labor Legal Service Center at Foreign-Related Public Legal Service Center in the Zhuhai Free Trade Zone [Photo courtesy Zhuhai Media Group]

Foreign-related legal services in Zhuhai are more in demand as the city now has 16,000 foreign-funded companies and 4,000 employed migrant Hong Kong and Macao fishermen. Moreover, Zhuhai now has 112,000 residents working in Macao.

Currently, 36 Macao and 95 Zhuhai lawyers are in the Zhuhai-Macao Lawyer Pool. Now they are encouraged to protect workers' livelihoods, have long-term cooperation and exchanges, share legal services, and build a professional legal service team. Saloons and lectures will be held by Zhuhai and Macao universities and thinktanks to conduct regular talent training and communication. 

Zhuhai and Macao languages and lifestyles will be promoted with on-site publicity, broadcasts, short videos, and online Q&A forums. These are meant to ensure solid legal guarantees for high-quality development and opening-up of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone on Hengqin Island.