DSAL, concessionaires launch job fairs for displaced casino workers

The Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) has increased its support for satellite casino staff following the June 9 announcement that all 11 satellite casinos will cease operations by the end of 2025, requiring the three affected gaming concessionaires to retain all deployed staff.

As of June 16, 62 DSAL inspectors conducted joint inspections across 10 satellite casinos and three slot lounges. They monitored 38 rights-awareness sessions, which were attended by nearly 70% of affected employees.

Job-matching sessions have begun, with the first attracting 84 attendees for roles in sales, food and beverage, and facilities management.

According to the government, the satellite casinos employ about 5,600 people, with 4,800 hired directly by the concessionaires and 800 by the satellite casinos themselves.

The government has emphasized that concessionaires bear the social responsibility to absorb the 4,800 employees directly assigned to them.

The remaining 800 employees, hired by satellite-casino operators, will be reassigned within their parent companies in accordance with labor laws.
Gaming concessionaires have also pledged support in cases where satellite-casino operators face difficulty reassigning workers.

SJM Resorts, Sands China Limited, and Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) launched job fairs this week aimed at hiring workers displaced by the upcoming satellite casino closures, according to online recruitment advertisements.

From June 16 to 18, SJM Resorts recruited for roles in customer service, food and beverage, public areas and environmental hygiene, and facilities management.

Meanwhile, Sands China held its job fair on June 17 and 18, focusing on business development staff to promote its VIP membership program, the Sands Rewards Club.

GEG’s recruitment event, also held on June 17 and 18, targeted sales roles specifically.

In related news, the Follow-up Committee for Public Administration Affairs met Monday to review progress on local employment training and policies for non-resident workers. Lawmakers Zheng Anting and Lei Chan U announced a new “comprehensive vocational training platform” in development, with testing scheduled for the third quarter of 2025 and full implementation expected in the fourth quarter.

According to the lawmakers, the platform will offer customized online and offline training programs designed to close the skills gap and improve employment outcomes in the local labor market.

Government efforts from January to May were also cited by the committee. A total of 4,366 individuals received assistance in securing employment, and 235 training courses were organized with more than 4,200 participants. In May, an employment promotion coordination task force was formed, identifying over 300 job vacancies and facilitating short-term job matching.

Data presented at the meeting highlighted the significant reliance on foreign workers, with government figures showing over 183,000 non-resident employees as of April. Among them, approximately 149,000 are non-skilled workers, 27,900 are domestic helpers, and more than 5,900 are skilled professionals.

The lawmakers also called for more detailed data on foreign workers in the cleaning, hospitality, and construction sectors.

Notably, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) employ 97% of these foreign workers, who make up 45% of SME workforces, compared to 55% local employees.

Zheng emphasized the need for stricter enforcement against illegal labor practices, proposing heavier penalties to protect workers’ rights. Due to time constraints, the committee plans to address further questions in upcoming meetings.