LAST WORD 54
Staffing in a crisis Sharon Singleton
Managing Editor, AGB
2020 has been an unprecedented year in the global gambling industry, not least because of the staffing challenges that have been created by the pandemic.
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an-Asian figures on the number of actual job Macau and the University of St Joseph highlighted losses are not available, but even in markets the increase in precarity between the non-resident such as Macau, where the government made and resident workers due to the pandemic. It found many blue-card workers chose to it clear it expected operators to keep the lights on and retain their employees, there are signs stay locked down in Macau for fear of losing their there have been job losses and cutbacks that have employment status, but unlike local residents they were not entitled to the government consumption made staff feel increasingly precarious. A recent study by the Macau Gaming Enterprises bonuses of around MOP10,000 ($1,251) to spend on Staff Association found that 80 percent of local gaming goods and services. Of course, not all of the blue card workers are workers were worried about their future position. employed in the gaming industry, The sur ve y asked 611 with many working as domestic employees about their views helpers, but it’s not unfair to of their prospects and found assume that a great number that there has been an increase It was the more will also be from the legion of 20 percentage points from of service workers within the the same time it carried out senior workers, with hospitality industry. the poll a year ago in those a decade or more Official figures also show concerned about their jobs. that the local unemployment On top of that, some 60 of experience, who rate has risen steadily since percent said they had been said they felt the Januar y, with the largest forced to take unpaid leave. A most insecure. reduction reported in the key area of concern was that Gaming & Junket Activities this leave would be extended and Real Estate & Business as revenues in Macau fail to Activities sectors. Some of bounce back as quickly as had been expected. It was the more senior workers, with those positions may never return as the VIP sector a decade or more of experience, who said they felt shrinks. Executives from Wynn Resorts on a recent earnings call said they don’t expect the high roller the most insecure. The association suggests that the government sector to ever get back to its pre-crisis levels. It’s definitely a tough call for any employer to have should regulate unpaid leave and also suggested additional training for employees to position for an to let any team members go. In Macau, where monthly economic rebound. It also urged the government to gaming revenue is still down more than 70 percent from pre-crisis levels, the need to cut running costs ensure foreign workers were the first to go. And according to the figures, they have been. is evident. However, it’s also a market which in the The number of blue card holders has fallen by past has suffered from difficulty in recruiting staff 11,800 since the beginning of the year to 181,000, to its casino positions due to the restricted labour with the majority returning to the Philippines and pool and should the market abruptly change course, operators will need to have workers on tap and not Mainland China. Research carried out by the City University of be scrambling to fill gaps.
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Asia Gaming Briefings | November 2020
