PROTEST IN MACAU
Booming casino economy? Not for us Hundreds of Macau residents take to the streets
October 10, 2007
MACAU'S casinos are the richest in the world - the 23 casinos in the city made a whopping US$6.87billion ($10.1b) last year, more than Las Vegas casinosdid.
More than 1,000 people protested that day. -- Pictures: AFP, REUTERS
But not everyone in the territory is benefiting and that has sparked discontent among its residents, reported the International Herald Tribune.
'The government tells us the casino boom is bringing wealth to Macau,' said Jose Pereira Coutinho, a deputy in the Legislative Assembly.
'That is not true, because this wealth is only for a few.
'It is not helping people who are suffering.'
For the first time on 1 Oct, China's National Day, hundreds protested in the streets.
Their grievances ranged from harsh new penalties for illegal parking of motorcycles, to government corruption and the use of illegal labour.
There was also a protest in May and another demonstration is expected at the end of the year, during the anniversary of Macau's handover to China.
A protester in Macau on 1 Oct, China's National Day.
Many Macanese complain about workers from China who are keeping wages down.
They are also unhappy about the rising cost of living, especially the rents in working-class areas.
Those who benefit most from gambling are the 45,000 people working in casinos - their average earnings rose almost 15 per cent in the past year.
But for others, opportunities and incomes have worsened.
Many earn less than a quarter of the wages of a casino card dealer.
Said political science lecturer Eilo Yu: 'The society is developing in Macau and starting to mobilise... In the long run, people will keep on challenging the government.'