Hundreds of casino workers across Sydney and South East Queensland have avoided financial distress thanks to a hardship fund negotiated by the United Workers Union and The Star.

More than 600 workers across the Sydney, Gold Coast and Treasury (Brisbane) casinos received crucial payments from The Star, totalling $2.8 million, to help relieve financial stress as a result of the COVID crisis.

The casino industry was one of the hardest hit by government shut-downs, with the vast majority of Australian casino workers stood down since March as a result.

Many of these workers were ineligible for any Federal Government assistance.

Quotes attributable to United Workers Union Casinos Director Dario Mujkic: 

“For some workers, these payments have been the difference between there being food on the table and going hungry.

“This crisis is not over. While the Morrison Government has turned its back on workers, we need big and profitable employers to step up and do what they can to help those in distress right now.”