Former employees of the casino in Esquel, located in Argentina’s Chubut Province, remain without a resolution to their employment dispute nearly seven months after the venue closed.
With outstanding wages and severance payments still unresolved and the return of casino operations uncertain, some workers are looking for alternative ways to support themselves.
The casino, operated by Trewelyn, closed on March 25, leaving around 50 workers without jobs. The company confirmed the dismissals in April, citing force majeure, and maintained its position that it would pay 50% of the severance. Workers challenged the proposal and sought legal action over both their compensation and unpaid wages.
There has been some progress through the courts, but it has not yet put money in workers’ hands. A court ordered Trewelyn to pay outstanding March wages, adjusted for interest, to 36 former employees. However, the amounts still need to be calculated and paid, while claims over severance remain a separate issue.
The provincial government has been working on a new public tender for the casino concession. The published terms require the future operator to hire the former employees, with recruitment to take place gradually according to the needs of the new venue.
However, the former casino building remains under legal attachment sought by workers over unpaid severance. That creates an obstacle to reopening the existing premises, while building a new casino could take considerably longer.
Against that backdrop, seven former employees recently approached Esquel’s municipality seeking work. Fabiana Vázquez, Secretary of Human Development, Health and Habitat, met with the women and discussed possible employment options.
She said budget constraints limited the municipality’s ability to hire additional staff and suggested that they organize a work cooperative instead.
The women are now considering that option as they wait for a more lasting solution. The initial proposal involves offering services such as waitstaff and event organization, drawing on skills they developed during their years at the casino.
The group is receiving administrative guidance from the municipality and advisers linked to the University of Chubut, and hopes to obtain authorization in December.
The Esquel casino closed on March 25, 2026, leaving around 50 workers without jobs
