Two casinos get OK to hire foreigners

Friday, March 12, 1999 | 11:20 a.m.

Treasure Bay and Casino Magic received government approval last week to hire temporary foreign workers through a visa program.

Labor officials initially rejected applications from the two casinos on the grounds that they did not provide evidence to show that the Coast's gambling and tourism industries were seasonal, a requirement of the program. Government officials granted appeals from the companies when they submitted additional documentation.

Casino Magic hired 48 Jamaican workers last year and was seeking permission to hire about 60 this year. Most of the workers are hotel and casino housekeepers.

Treasure Bay hopes to hire 45 foreign nationals.

The casino industry is turning to foreign workers because of the tight labor market. Local unemployment for December was 2.8 percent.

Beau Rivage also applied for permission to hire foreign workers but did not appeal the denial. Spokesman Andy Bourland said the company has enough workers to open the 1,780-room hotel-casino March 16.

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