Groups petition for the welfare of gaming workers

The Association of Macau Gaming Strength 博彩力量協會, led by José Pereira Coutinho, lawmaker and president of the Macau Civil Servants Association (ATFPM), submitted a letter to a government representative at the government headquarters yesterday afternoon. The letter contained details urging the Chief Executive (CE) to force gaming operators to increase staff salaries by at least six percent.
Yesterday, the Macau Gaming Industry Frontline also handed in their petition to the government, demanding the salary increment of gaming industry workers be linked to that of civil servants or the inflation rate. Among the group’s requests were the optimization of relevant laws and regulations for gaming labour, compensation for working on mandatory holidays, as well as concerning retirement systems.
The president of the group, Ieong Man Teng, said that the government should include the aforementioned demands as part of the next gaming concession requirements.
Regarding the afternoon’s petition, Pereira Coutinho told the media: “We request the CE wield his influence and persuasive ability to convince the remaining five gaming operators to adjust their 2015 staff salary,” adding that Sands China has already taken action on this matter (see above).
He called for the remaining four companies to “take social responsibility” by sharing the “economic fruits” with their employees in light of the “high revenues” these days. The ATFPM president also expressed his confidence in the CE for making the salary adjustment possible, saying earlier that he had actively promised to commence talks with the six remaining gaming operators.
He also urged the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Lionel Leong, to use the initiative to hold a meeting with the six gaming operators to address staff demands, performance quality and working environment, with the objective of realising the results at a later date.. Staff reporter