Hundreds of protestors demand better pay, end to smoking

As many as 2,000 protestors gathered outside of Melco Resorts’ properties yesterday afternoon, demanding 14 months’ salary per year and an end to smoking inside casinos.

Organized by the New Macau Gaming Workers Rights Association, hundreds of disgruntled employees marched along the Cotai Strip warning that if their demands are not satisfied, they will raise the issue with the government.

Organizers put the number of demonstrators at 2,000, but the police said that there were just half that number.

The protestors demanded “full pensions” for croupiers and also 14 months of pay per year. They also want to see the smoking ban fully enforced inside Melco properties.

Speaking to media on the sidelines of the demonstration, New Macau Gaming Workers Rights Association president Cloee Chao said this was not the responsibility of the government, but that would not stop the Association from raising the issue if Melco was not prepared to heed their demands.

“If Melco Resorts does not satisfy our appeals, we will petition to the government,” Chao told media at the demonstration, as cited by TDM. “This is the duty a casino should undertake.”

A senior representative at Melco Resorts attempting to formally accept a document with the workers’ demands was rejected by the crowd, who called on Chief Executive Officer Lawrence Ho to come out instead.

Ho did not come out, but the protestors eventually accepted another senior representative in his place and submitted their complaints.