Singapore’s Resorts World Sentosa is laying off an undisclosed number of employees to cope with the damage the coronavirus pandemic has wrought on the city-state’s gaming and tourism markets.
The “worker rationalization,” as operator Genting Singapore termed the layoffs, was decided after “careful deliberation and consultation.”
“Over the past few months, we have reviewed all costs, eliminated non-essential spending and reduced the salaries of management by up to 30 percent,” the company said.
It declined to specify how many jobs were involved, citing business and staff member “confidentiality.”
RWS advanced to a limited reopening of its gaming areas on July 1, along with its market rival, Las Vegas Sands’ Marina Bay Sands. Non-gaming areas began reopening in phases on June 19.
The two resorts were closed by the government on April 7 as part of measures designed to contain the spread of the virus, which has infected more than 47,000 people in the self-governing city of 5.6 million, of which more than 3,800 known cases remained active as of last week. At least 27 have died.
But even before that, RWS began cutting managerial salaries and encouraging junior staff to take annual leaves.
As for the current round of cuts, the property said it is working with Singapore’s trade unions and relevant government agencies to try to locate new jobs for those laid off.
