Macau: Melco awards staff that receive Covid-19 vaccine

Melco Resorts is offering staff US$125 to encourage them to get vaccinated against Covid-19.

Macau.- Melco Resorts has launched an “immunity incentive programme” to encourage its employees to get vaccinated against Covid-19. It will give each employee a bonus of MOP1,000 (US$125) after getting the vaccine.

Those who get the vaccine could also win MOP1m once the company has reached certain immunity targets.

Melco Resorts is working in coordination with the Macau Health Bureau and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. It is arranging shuttle transportation for staff to attend vaccination appointments and grants staff two full days of paid vaccine leave.

In order to increase the vaccination rate in Macau, casino operators MGM China and Sands China are hosting vaccination services.

MGM China will host vaccinations on May 24 and 25. Sands China from May 31 to June 3.

According to health authorities, 90,267 people in Macau have been vaccinated with at least one dose – nearly 13 per cent of Macau’s population.

Dr Leong Iek Hou, Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre coordinator, said vaccinated residents will be allowed to go to public events such as concerts, sports competitions and festivals without a negative nucleic acid test.

In April, Melco Resorts reported that income came in at US$520m during the first quarter of the year. That represents a decrease of 36 per cent in comparison with the US$810m produced during the same period of 2020.

The fall is expected considering the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the decline in inbound tourism. Lawrence Ho, president, and general director of Melco said that the company had seen a moderate recovery.

Melco also announced the launch of several programmes for voluntary extended leave or voluntary redundancy.

The “New Chapter” voluntary exit programme offers Melco employees up to 12 months base salary with guaranteed tips to exit the company to seek other opportunities.

Employees can also apply for a special leave arrangement on 40 per cent of monthly salary for between six and twelve months, with permission to work elsewhere. At the end of the special leave arrangement, employees would return to their role at Melco.