Massive strike hits NagaWorld as employees demand higher wages

Staff are also demanding former NagaWorld employee and labor union leader Chhim Sithar be reinstated following his suspension in October

Cambodia.- NagaWorld, the only casino allowed to operate in Phnom Penh, is currently suffering a major strike of thousands of its employees asking for better salaries and working conditions.

Around 3,000 local employees of NagaWorld joined strike action and demonstrated outside the Phnom Penh integrated resort on Thursday, demanding higher pay and improved working conditions.

They are also demanding the reinstatement of former NagaWorld employee and labor union leader, Chhim Sithar, who was suspended in October for organizing a campaign for higher wages.

“We demand a raise for workers … we need to pay rent and food prices nowadays have also gone up,” Kunthea, one of the employees said campaigning outside the casino, according to Reuters. “The company makes a lot of profits,” he added.

NagaCorp recorded a gross gaming revenue (GGR) of €1.2 billion in the first nine months of 2019 representing an increase of 20.2% over the same period last year.

NagaWorld recently began constructing Naga 3, which is three times larger than Naga 1 and Naga 2 combined, with a budget of €3.2 billion. It is set to open in 2025. 

It is expected to be a mix of gaming and non-gaming, with two 66-storey hotels, two 45-storey hotels, one 48-storey condominium hotel, one three-level basement and an 11-level multi-entertainment podium.