Macau’s Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) says it has contacted 4,812 employees of the city’s satellite casinos and provided them with explanations regarding employee rights.
The discussions come after it was confirmed that the 11 satellite casinos currently operational in Macau would be shuttered by the end of the year, albeit with the possibility of SJM acquiring Ponte 16 and L’Arc.
The Macao SAR Government stated earlier that the closures will affect 5,600 employees – 4,800 of whom are directly employed via the concessionaires under which the satellites operate and 800 employed directly by satellite casinos themselves.
DSAL said that since 9 June, when the government announced the closure of satellite casinos, it has implemented a number of response measures including conducting joint inspections of 10 satellite casinos and three Mocha slot machine entertainment venues, and urging concessionaires to hold briefings on employee rights.
It also revealed that, as of 20 June, a total of 52 employee rights briefing sessions had been held, reaching a total of 4,812 employees, including 4,457 employees assigned by concessionaires and 355 hired by satellite casinos.
Earlier, SJM Holdings, Galaxy Entertainment Group and Sands China announced that they would hold job fairs for satellite casino employees. As of 18 June, the three concessionaires and DSAL had jointly held seven interview and job matching sessions, attracting a total of 423 participants.
DSAL said it will continue to monitor the results of the special job fairs and supervise the concessionaires in implementing their employment arrangements.
Since the impending closure of satellite casinos was announced there has been concern expressed about the future of employees.
Macau Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng stated recently that the government will strictly enforce the law to ensure that gaming concessionaires fulfil their responsibilities towards their employees and that DSAL closely monitors the implementation of these measures.
