Uruguay casino union warns of conflict over online gaming project
The National Association of State Casino Employees (Anfuce) publicly announced that it declares itself in conflict, denouncing that the authorities are advancing labor changes and the regulation of online gambling without respecting the formal collective bargaining frameworks.
In a statement released on December 2, the union questioned that the current director of Casinos “does not respect collective bargaining nor listens to the workers’ demands.” According to Anfuce, the latest budget project presented by the Directorate modified working conditions, eliminated grades within the ranks, and was carried out without prior consultation, despite the union considering itself “the most representative of the sector.”
They accuse lack of transparency in the online gambling project
The union also expressed concern about the way the future regulation of online gambling in Uruguay is being designed. Although they acknowledge that the debate has been ongoing for some time, they claim that the development of the new project is being carried out “in secrecy”.
“The Casino authorities, together with private banks, are preparing the new project confidentially, without worker participation,” the organization warned.
Anfuce maintains that any regulation on online gambling must consider a comprehensive vision of the sector, with clear objectives and unified exploitation criteria. Furthermore, they emphasize that the State cannot exclude from the discussion those who have been working in the industry for years:
“The employees have acquired specialization in game modalities, gambling addiction control, and money laundering prevention, priority areas for the agency.”
Risk to labor reconversion and jobs
For the union, excluding employees from the design of digital regulation “denies the possibility of a true labor reconversion” and “puts the source of employment in the state sector at risk.”
Anfuce closed its statement affirming that it will maintain a state of alert and mobilization until the collective bargaining framework is restored and worker participation in strategic sector decisions is guaranteed.
Tags: Uruguay, online gaming regulation Uruguay, Uruguay online casinos