Macau concessionaire employees have one less thing to worry about as their industry is crushed by the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Although many were worried they’d lose their jobs as a result of the economic downturn the territory is currently facing, they’ve discovered a friend in their industry’s regulator.

Several outlets are reporting Macau’s Gaming Inspection & Coordination Bureau (DICJ) has sent letters to the six casino concessionaires, encouraging them to avoid layoffs. It emphasized that “maintaining social responsibility is one of the priorities of the Macau SAR Government.” It also emphasized the concessionaires’ responsibility. “In this difficult period, companies should make every effort to ensure the employment of employees and maintain a stable labor market.”

This emphasis had an impact on atleast one company that planned to cut costs. A major junket operator had informed employees that 200 of them would be losing their jobs. It reversed this decision after receiving pressure from the DICJ.

In February, the Macau Gaming Labor Group published a survey taken during Macau’s mandated 15 day casino shutdown. In that survey, 53% of employees noted a fear of losing their job due to COVID-19, with 75.5% showing a more general fear that their take home pay would be reduced.