That certainly didn’t take long. This past weekend, Melco employees protested outside the Macau City of Dreams casino over wages and bonuses. The organizers of the protest, the New Macau Gaming Staff Rights Association (NMGSRA) threatened to take their issues to the government if Melco didn’t respond, and has now held onto that promise.

This past Tuesday, the NMGSRA said that it would be delivering a petition to Macau’s Chief Executive, Fernando Chui Sai On, as it attempts to find resolution over discrepancies in pay and working conditions. The labor group is pushing for Melco to contribute to the city’s employee fund scheme based on the employees’ complete salaries, and not just on their base pay. They also want the casino operator to improve “occupational health and safety.”

Melco issued a response to the protests, saying, “We have had meetings with Macau Federation of Trade Unions (FAOM) and Macau Gaming Enterprises Staff’s Association (MGESA), and have been in discussion with these associations regarding the additional bonus, contribution to the provident fund and offer of seats at gaming tables.” The last remark is an apparent reference to some dealers being forced to stand while working.

The company further stated, “Melco responded positively during a meeting with Lee Chong Cheng, vice president of the FAOM and Choi Kam Fu, secretary-general of the MGESA, on August 10.”