Supplementary memorandum from the Transport
and General Workers Union (DGB 165)
During my oral evidence given to the Joint Committee
on 24 February 2004 I stated that casino operators were advertising
for staff abroad, and in response to a supplementary question
by Alan Meale, that specifically London Clubs International were
advertising in Poland. I understand that you have received a denial
of any such activity from Roy Ramm, London Clubs Compliance and
Security Director.
I fully accept Mr Ramm's assertion and retract
my statement. I would like to make clear that in no way was I
making any criticisms of LCI's recruitment policy or the recruitment
by any operator of appropriate personnel from an expanding Europe,
but merely attempting to highlight the acknowledged chronic problem
of recruiting and retaining gaming staff that exists within the
UK casino industry.
Knowing of the industry's current recruitment
problems and unconvinced that the proposed expansion model will
be able to deliver significant numbers of quality local jobs or
to achieve the promised level of local regeneration, I was attempting
to demonstrate my concerns over the need to balance the problems
and benefits that deregulation presents to casino workers, casino
operators and local communities.
In the week prior to giving evidence our branch
received numerous calls from T&G members within LCI telling
us of a recruitment drive in Poland. Although unable to substantiate
the reports, given the number and consistency of the calls, at
the time I believed and accepted them to be genuine and accurate.
How this rumour originated is anyone's guess, however I certainly
do have evidence of American casino operators advertising for
and recruiting large numbers of gaming staff in Poland.
I would like to apologise for this error but
reaffirm the remainder of my oral evidence.
I will of course be writing to you shortly concerning
FOBT's.
March 2004
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