Organizer disappointed with casino workers’ protest turnout

The Forefront of Macau Gaming (FMG) has once again staged a protest against casino operator Sands China. The protest took place yesterday, this time outside the group’s Sands Macao property.
There were fewer participants at this protest than at the previous demonstration held at Cotai. The organizer claimed that there were more than 500 people, whilst the Public Security Police did not release any figures.
The demands of the protesters yesterday still revolved around issues with an allegedly unfair salary scheme and internship program. They also asked for a wage increase of up to 10 percent.
When speaking to the crowd, FMG president Ieong Man Teng said that if they were not able to rally 60 percent of the supervisors in Sands China, he would be very disappointed. The president also apologized to the protesters for being unable to unite casino workers.
He has urged the participants to call on their colleagues to join the demonstration.
Ieong Man Teng later told the media that some staff members were also dissatisfied with the work schedule, claiming that some of the employees were forced to work for more than 10 consecutive days.
The FMG president also hinted that they were considering a strike today. He said that yesterday’s turnout would play a part in deciding whether or not to strike. “There has to be 2,000 people participating in the demonstration. Otherwise, we will consider other options,” Ieong Man Teng said. TDM reported yesterday night that the strike is not going to take place.
A FMG representative then handed some protest signs to a Sands China representative.
In a statement issued last night, Sands China said that it regretted the demonstration outside Sands Macau.
It reiterated that there was a “master plan (…) to improve the team structure and benefits scheme.”  Furthermore, Sands China suggested that, because it is a publicly listed company with a board of directors and a remuneration committee, “any decisions regarding payrolls must go through this structure.”
The statement said that any party trying to claim credit for adjustments in the company’s compensation scheme “is simply trying to deceive team members and the Macau community.”
In conclusion, the company said that it would continue to “listen to its valued team members, and also continue to review the company’s compensation and benefits program”. JPL