Making a stand
A gaming labor activist group in Macau has organized a demonstration on behalf of local casino workers in a bid to secure an increase in pay and better working conditions. The demonstration will take place on January 2.
The demonstration has been organized by the New Macau Gaming Staff Rights Association. In November this group called upon the six casino operators on the island to give their workers a pay rise of at least 5%.
the group also wants workers to receive an annual bonus that is equivalent to two months of their salary
As this demand has not been met, the demonstration will go ahead as scheduled. The group also has concerns in relation to “health issues” of those working in the casinos.
In addition to a 5% pay increase, the group also wants workers to receive an annual bonus that is equivalent to two months of their salary. They also want a mandatory allowance for those working on the night shift, as well as a maximum number of five working days per week for each employee.
Calls for more annual leave
Another major demand made by the New Macau Gaming Staff Rights Association is for workers to be given 22 days of annual leave. This is higher than the level of annual leave that is required under local labor laws.
Currently, Macau casino workers are only given one rest day each week. They also receive ten days of mandatory holidays, as well as six working days worth of leave following twelve months worth of service.
Cloee Chao is the head of this activist group. She has spoken about how the current holiday leave structure is not enough due to the shift-like nature of the work. She went on to say that the current structure
pressurizes family relations for these workers, as they don’t even have quality time to spend with their kids.”
Interesting timing
This demonstration is taking place at the same time as the new Macau government comes into power. Ho Iat Seng, the new chief executive, was sworn into office on December 20.
The ceremony was attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping. It took place on the same day of the 20th anniversary of the Portuguese giving Macau back to China.
It was in September that the worker’s group sent a wish list of needs for gaming workers to the then Chief Executive-elect Ho. These needs were compiled following the completion of a survey among casino workers in the region.
Demonstration route
All of the casino workers that attend the demonstration will have their signatures gathered by the worker’s association. These signatures will then form a petition which will be given to the government at the end of the demonstration.