Casino News

8% wage cut for Crown Macau staff

2009-01-12 12:09:44

Workers at the Crown Macau casino have been forced to take a pay cut of as much as eight percent as operator Melco Crown Entertainment (MPEL) looks to reduce costs.

According Australian newspaper the Daily Telegraph, MPEL requested special permission from the local government in Macau to bring in the wage decreases, which were introduced on December 1st.

Lawrence Ho, MPEL's chief executive, is thought to be among the workers affected by the salary changes.

MPEL is a joint venture between Crown Limited - the casino company led by Australian billionaire James Packer - and Mr Ho's Melco International Development.

Mr Ho - the son of Stanley Ho, the casino billionaire who helped to turn Macau into the world's most lucrative gaming destination - claimed that his organisation is still committed to training local workers.

"I have always believed that our long-term success depends first and foremost on our employees," he remarked.