The major casino workers’ union launched a campaign yesterday to combat rising drug use and gambling amongst its members.

Faced with a growing number of dealers earning a relatively high wage but with restricted social opportunities due to shift work, the Macau Gaming Industry Labourers Association will this year offer “healthy” activities for its 3,000  members.

The liberalisation of the gaming market in 2001 was introduced with conditions aimed at ensuring locals benefited from the expected growth. The growing number of casinos are restricted to hiring local staff for the gaming floor and while this has driven up wages it has also exposed many locals to an unorthodox lifestyle.

“Many of the dealers finish late and the only form of entertainment available to them is to go to a bar or disco,” said Lawrence Tai, board secretary and director.

“Those options combined with the high wages many are earning is leading to increasing use of alcohol and drugs by the workers.”

In June last year the average salary of the 45,033 casino workers was 14,491 patacas per month, according to the Statistics and Census Service. The average wage across all industries as of September last year was 7,900 patacas per month.

It was standing room only yesterday at the ‘healthy living” launch at Tap Seac Square as more than 200 casino workers were given a preview of this year’s attractions designed to keep them on the straight and narrow.

Over the next twelve months sporting, social and cultural activities will be scheduled to allow different shift workers to participate. A basketball competition will begin this week, followed by a football tournament and group walking days. The less athletic can take part in the karaoke and photography competitions.

“We want to remind the dealers that there are healthier options available for them than drug taking,” said Mr Tai.

The introduction of new gaming companies has also provided dealers with an opportunity to chance their luck. Prior to 2001, workers of the sole casino operator,  Sociedade do Jogos de Macau (SJM), who were prohibited from gambling at any of their employer’s venues, did not have any other legal alternatives for table gaming. The introduction of alternative operators has also given dealers another after work option.

“We are also concerned about the increasing number of dealers who are gambling,” said Mr Tai.

“We know many go to casinos where they don’t work, and while gambling is not necessarily a problem, a number are losing a lot of money which is forcing them to steal from their employer and family.”

The association is proposing a central employee registration that will allow employers to monitor the gaming behaviour of casino workers.

Courtesy :: Macau Daily Times

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