Casinos in Macau will soon be required to distinguish their foreign workers from local ones by making them wear different uniforms or badges.
Shuen Ka Hung, director of the Labor Affairs Bureau for the Special Administrative Region of Macau announced the new rule yesterday following a meeting with representatives of the human resources departments of Macau's six casino operators.
Macau's rules prohibit foreign workers from serving as croupiers. They can work as croupier supervisors, pit managers and at other gaming positions, however.
The government has instituted the new policy in order to protect local workers following the controversial dismissal of several locals by operator Galaxy earlier this month.
Venetian Macau employed 14,149 local workers and 16,492 foreign workers in 2007, while SJM employed 16,324 local workers and 1,136 foreign workers, according to the Labor Affairs Bureau.
The rules apply only to front-line staff, not to individuals employed in administration or in such positions as housekeeping and security.