Displaced Fontana casino workers seek gov’t help

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Philippines – Displaced workers of Fontana Leisure Park and Casino owned by Chinese gaming mogul Jack Lam appealed to the government yesterday to help them regain their jobs.

Around 2,000 workers have yet to be asked to return to work even though the  state-owned Clark Development Corp. lifted its order suspending the operations of Fontana.

“Punish those who have sinned against the law, but please spare the innocent workers…We need our jobs back. We need to provide for our families.  We need to survive,” the workers said in a statement.

The workers also defended  Lam from accusations of involvement in illegal online gambling operations.

“He knew that his operations were legitimate and complied with government standards,” the workers said.

The casino was closed after 1,316 illegal Chinese workers were arrested during a raid in November.