FMG launches work-to-rule against SJM

The Forefront of Macau Gaming (FMG) revealed that some workers for local gaming mogul Stanley Ho’s SJM Holdings Ltd took industrial action two days ago.
Some casino employees reported in late and some refused to work overtime, Ieong Man Teng, president of the FMG, said in a telephone interview two days ago.
He claimed that around 600 Grand Lisboa employees took sick leave to express their dissatisfaction with SJM’s announcement last Friday, which saw the upward adjustment of the group’s living subsidies to its staffers (see corporate bits on page 9).
He also revealed that the casino operator transferred workers from other SJM casinos to those that were affected by the industrial action.
“We have learnt that there were around 600 workers who were taking sick leave collectively at noon (two days ago). Some others were late collectively and were unwilling to work overtime,” Mr Ieong said.
“They only worked according to schedule. More than 1,000 workers have joined the industrial action. The company uses a method to deal with this. It transfers [the] workers of its other casinos to the Grand Lisboa casino” he said.
The president continued by claiming that some SJM managerial staff told their employees that they would be triple-paid if they went to work two days ago.
Mr Ieong said he was not certain how long the industrial action would last, claiming that it depended on the response of SJM.
More than 1,000 Macau casino workers held a protest march on August 25, the seventh rally this year, as they demand better pay and work conditions.
It was the largest rally by industry employees so far this year, according to local police, who said 1,400 took part. FMG put the number at 7,000.
The group had already announced its intention to launch industrial action against SJM during the protest on August 25.