Macau: 60% of casino staff on unpaid leave

According to a poll, most casino workers are worried about their jobs and many have been forced to take unpaid leaves.

Macau.- The Macau Gaming Enterprises Staff Association, linked to the Macao Federation of Trade Unions (FAOM), has revealed the results of a poll conducted among 611 employees at casino venues. The survey found that 60 per cent have been forced to take unpaid leave during the pandemic.

The survey also indicates that about 80 per cent of gaming workers are worried about the future of their jobs. The main concern relates to possible dismissals and the extension of unpaid leave.

Those with more than 10 years in the industry feel most insecure.

Operators have taken a range of measures to see out the pandemic, incliding putting staff on unpaid or reduced pay leave.

The unemployment rate in Macau has increased steadily since January due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, with the general unemployment rate and the local resident unemployment rate for the third quarter reaching 2.9 per cent and 4.1 per cent respectively.