Qazzi Welcomes Casino du Liban 'Major' Breakthrough

Labor Minister Sejaan Qazzi hailed on Tuesday a deal reached to resolve the crisis that erupted at Casino du Liban after around 200 contract employees were sacked.

“I thank all those who helped achieve the settlement,” said Qazzi following a meeting he held at his office with the casino's board of directors and the union of the facility's employees.

“We made a major achievement in favor of workers,” said Qazzi after he gave his “blessing” to the settlement.

“The casino is not on the verge of going bankrupt but is suffering from a huge financial crisis,” he added.

The meeting under Qazzi's sponsorship aimed at preventing any party from violating the terms of the agreement.

The breakthrough was reportedly reached after Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh resolved the matter with INTRA Investment Co. headquarters, which owns 52% of the casino's shares.

As of Tuesday, Casino du Liban reopened its doors after the discharged employees ended their week-long sit-in at midnight.

The deal states that the board of directors “would revise the files of the fired employees and grant generous compensations to anyone sacked over the factors of age or experience.”

“The employees who suffer from chronic diseases will be referred to a medical panel, which in turn would determine their health status,” the agreement states.

“Any employee proven to suffer from a chronic illness will remain at the company.”

Last week, Casino du Liban's board of directors dismissed 191 contract employees in a step they described as an arbitrary move, which prompted them to shut down the vital tourist attraction.

H.K.

G.K.