Scores of redundant casino workers went to seek for help from the Labour Affairs Bureau, after two outsourced casinos run by Galaxy Casinos announced a job cut of 270 because of fierce competition.

These workers, most of them are croupiers, claimed that they felt ‘threatened’ by the employer who told them to sign letters first before they were allowed to leave.

Although they were promised to receive compensation according to labour regulations, and that they will be re-employed once new casinos are open, they doubted why the employer did not made non-resident workers redundant first before making them redundant.

Some pointed out that non-resident workers who work outside of their authorised domains of activities create ‘extreme unfairness’ to them.

Together with the representatives of two non-mainstream trades union, they demanded a dialogue with the Secretary for the Economy and Finance Tam Pak Yuen (譚伯源) on 2 July on the issue of giving priority to local workers.

They threatened for further action if they did not receive ’satisfactory response’. Galaxy Casinos issued a statement later which said that the redundancy decision was ‘helpless’, and expressed regret to those who are affected. It also claimed that letters that promised to re-employ these redundant workers had been issued to those affected. They could be re-employed once the Galaxy Mega Resort is open. The two outsourced casinos affected are Grand Waldo in Taipa and President in Macau.

Legislator Kwan Tsui Hang (關翠杏) from the trade union stream expressed concern to the recent developments, saying that it reflects the fact that the gaming sector in Macau has entered a period of adjustment.

She also said that it is time for the Government to assess fully the labour needs of the gaming sector, particularly to create opportunities to allow local croupiers to be promoted to become supervisors.

Source: Blogmacau.info

Jul 5, 2008 1:16 AM