Non-management staff will be paid a special bonus, equivalent to one month’s salary, by Macau casino operator MGM China Holdings Limited. The first of the bonus’ two installments will be paid at the end of this month, according to local sources.

While the bonus was confirmed by MGM China in an email last Thursday to GGRAsia, no specifics were given as to the amount of the bonus, nor how many employees were eligible to receive it. It is the third such announcement by as many Macau-based casino operators this year.

The first announcement came earlier this month from Macau market rival SJM Holdings, when it announced it would be retaining its bonus scheme in 2016. An internal notice stating that employees earning up to MOP20,000 (US$2,486) per month would be offered the annual bonus, equivalent to two months’ salary, was sent by MGM China Holdings Ltd. Followed by casino operator Wynn Macau Ltd’s confirmation to media in Macau last week that its Wynn Palace and Wynn Resort Casino Macau employees would receive a one-month bonus ahead of the Chinese New year holiday period, which begins on February 7 this year.

While local casino labor groups have been pressing for salary increases, pay raises for 2016 have yet to be announced by any Macau-based casino operator. Last week casino operators were urged by the Macau Gaming Enterprise Staff Association, which is a labor group affiliated with the Macau Federation of Trade Unions, to increase casino employees salaries this year.