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.'