NagaWorld workers demand government end violence against strikers
Unions claim NagaWorld has refused to consider the reinstatement of laid-off workers.
Cambodia.- Striking NagaWorld Casino workers have called on the government to end the violence against them outside the Phnom Penh complex, where female protesters have repeatedly complained of sexual harassment and abuse.
The petitions were submitted to the interior and women’s ministries during a break in protests, which were suspended to allow for negotiations.
Hun Vannak, a human rights activist, told Democracy Voice that home secretary Sar Kheng, who had called for calm and patience, must ensure that officials in his jurisdiction stop the violence.
NagaWorld employees went on strike on December 18 2021 in protest against NagaCorp’s layoffs and pay cuts that aimed to improve cost efficiency due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Government-mediated negotiations with the casino operator failed to bear fruit.
Last week, 140 people were arrested for breaching Covid-19 health protocols. They were reportedly taken to an isolation centre on the outskirts of Phnom Penh for quarantine before being released a few hours later.
Eight union leaders were imprisoned for 74 days and charged with inciting social unrest. Ry Sovandy, one of those arrested, said: “Our stance is that the union has to be reinstated and the workers who want to work should be allowed to return.
“Our position is purely based on the willingness of the workers. We will not accept any condition that leads to a dissolution of the union or only allows one party, the NagaWorld company, to win in this dispute.”
NagaCorp posts GGR of US$109.9m for Q1
NagaCorp company posted gross gaming revenue of US$109.9m for Q1, a decline of 13.7 per cent when compared to Q1 in 2021. However new gaming revenue was up at US$1.08m.
NagaCorp reported earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of US$60.5m, up 83.3 per cent quarter-on-quarter and 57.4 per cent year-on-year. Mass-market table games saw average daily net gaming revenue of US$572,000 and mass-market electronic gaming machines US$280,000.
Premium mass-market daily net gaming revenue was US$212,000, up 16.5 per cent, while the VIP average daily net gaming revenue was US$13,000, up 62.5 per cent quarter-on-quarter.
