Forty former employees of Argentinian gaming operator Newtronic, a casino group in Entre Ríos, Argentina, are demanding unpaid severance compensation, including 25 based in Gualeguaychú, where workers have staged protests outside the local casino.
The dispute follows months of delayed salary payments made in installments, service interruptions linked to unpaid debts and the company’s filing for “concurso preventivo” (insolvency protection). Workers argue the proceedings could limit their ability to recover outstanding compensation.
Newtronic transferred the operating rights of its 12 gaming halls in Entre Ríos to the Banfi brothers of Grupo Teleinfo, in a move approved by the provincial gambling authority IAFAS. The authorization was reportedly conditioned on Teleinfo absorbing approximately 200 employees. Workers and union representatives say that commitment has not been fulfilled.
Aleara, the gaming workers’ union, has accused Newtronic of attempting to invoke Article 247 of Argentina’s Labor Contract Law, which allows reduced severance payments under specific force majeure conditions.
The union argues the legal requirements for that provision are not met. According to worker representatives, even those who accepted reduced settlements have not received payment and have initiated court proceedings.
Daniel Ibarra, former employee of Casino Gualeguaychú, said: “Since our dismissal, we have not received any severance, not even a final settlement.”
Valeria Tagniani, a former employee with nearly 14 years of service, said wages had been paid in multiple installments for more than a year prior to the dismissals.
According to union sources, outstanding obligations allegedly include unpaid rent, utilities and social security contributions. Teleinfo is reportedly covering wages under a service arrangement rather than as a formal employer, which workers claim affects pension contributions.
The dismissed employees say they plan to escalate the matter to Argentina’s Chamber of Deputies while continuing public demonstrations.
Under Argentina’s “concurso preventivo” framework, labor claims generally hold priority over most unsecured creditors, but payouts can be delayed for years depending on asset liquidation outcomes and court rulings
