Macao's Social Concerted Action has drafted a new labor law in a bid to better protect workers' rights, local media reported Wednesday.

The Macao Post Daily quoted Shuen Ka Hung, director of the Labor Affairs Bureau, as saying that the current labor law "failed to catch up with the times," while the new draft boasts many improvements.

The new draft will better protect women and children's rights, Shuen told the newspaper.

Women, under the new draft, will enjoy a 49-day maternity-break, an increase of 14 days from that is allowed by the current law.

The minimum age limit for workers will be increased from 14 to 16 under the new draft and the hiring of employees under 16 will require the government's approval.

The proposed law abolishes the maximum of 10.5 working hours per day and encourages the employment and the management to negotiate over the working time.

The draft next month will be presented to the Executive Council, the top advisory arm of the chief executive, and the Legislative Assembly for approval.

(Xinhua News Agency August 16, 2006)