Cambodia’s largest casino operator NagaCorp is once again suffering labor unrest after it halted COVID-19 suspension payments to staff at its flagship property in Phnom Penh.

On Tuesday, Cambodian media reported that some 200 employees of the NagaWorld casino were demonstrating in front of the Labor Ministry building to protest a decision by NagaCorp to halt the partial salary payments the company had been making since all Cambodian casinos were ordered to close on April 1 due to COVID-19.

When Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen issued his casino closure order, he said casino owners “should find a solution for their workers during the suspension of their businesses.” Initially, NagaCorp agreed to pay most staff 50% of their salaries, while a handful of staff are still on full-time running NagaWorld’s hotel, which remains partially operational.

Those 50% payments were halted this month, leaving most NagaWorld staff with no income whatsoever. The gathering outside the Labor Ministry – accompanied by thousands of thumbprint petitions from other affected staff – was a bid to convince the government to pay idle casino staff that same $40 monthly handout that workers in the garment and tourism sectors are currently receiving.