Star Entertainment Group praised for staff pay decision

One of Queensland’s biggest employers has had to stand down thousands of staff but has been praised for a decision that will at least deliver some comfort to all of those affected.

Star Entertainment chief executive Matt Bekier. Picture: Jono Searle.

The Star Entertainment Group will pay its 8100 stood down casino workers for the next two weeks.

The decision comes after days of discussions with the United Workers Union which has praised the company for moving quickly to help workers.

Dramatic spike: How QLD cases doubled in four days

How Queensland’s coronavirus border lockdown will work

Coronavirus Qld: Border Force intercepts infected British tourist

Four weeks without pay: Bleak COVID-19 future in retail sector

Star CEO Matt Bekier announced on Wednesday that the bulk of the company’s workforce would be suspended following the closure of its food, beverage, conferencing, and gaming facilities.

“We have incredible people at The Star and huge potential,” he said. “We are also confronting, like the rest of society, an unprecedented challenge. These are circumstances beyond anyone’s control.”

The company said its casino operations in Sydney, Gold Coast and Brisbane had been severely curtailed following government imposed bans on gatherings and non-essential services, necessitating a temporary stand down of 90 per cent of its staff.

Full and part time workers will be paid based on the hours they would have worked in this period and casual workers who lost all work last week will now receive 16 hours pay for two weeks.

Star Entertainment chief executive Matt Bekier. Picture: Jono Searle.

United Workers Union casinos director Dario Mujkic said the pay decision was a great result for thousands of his members.

“It will provide some short-term relief at a time of crisis for many,” he said, noting that Star undertook to provide a payment on Monday, with final details confirmed on Thursday.

Crown Resorts, which has a major casino in Melbourne, has also agreed to pay stood down staff for two weeks.

“We commend both Star and Crown for their decisions and for moving quickly to assist workers,” Mr Mujkic said.

“We don’t know of any other employers that have made a commitment to their workers of this scale right now.

“These are the kinds of decisions we need from big employers right now.”

Star chairman John O’Neill said the company was determined to balance the necessary measures needed to protect the business while considering the considerable human impact to its people.