Esquel, Argentina, October 25, 2026. A court in Chubut has ordered Trewelyn S.A., the former operator of Casino Esquel, to pay outstanding wages and severance compensation to employees dismissed following the venue's closure on March 25, 2026, which left approximately 50 people unemployed.
The rulings require payment of March wages, including interest and adjustments, to 36 employees represented by the Commerce Employees Union (SEC), along with 50% of the severance compensation offered by the company, including the applicable employment-related payments.
Nadia Cabrera
Union attorney Nadia Cabrera explained that the wage ruling is final and that Trewelyn must make payment within two days after the court-approved wage calculation becomes final. Former employees retain the right to pursue full severance compensation through individual legal proceedings.
The dispute centers on Article 247 of Argentina's Employment Contract Law No. 20,744, which permits reduced severance under justified circumstances, and Article 245, governing dismissals without just cause. Company representatives Sebastián Martín Chulia and Hernán Pablo Chulia handed over the casino's keys on March 27, through a notarized document executed before Santiago J. Schön.
Meanwhile, the Social Assistance Institute–Chubut Lottery, chaired by Ramiro Ibarra, launched Public Tender No. 01-IAS/2026, file 3350-IAS/2026, to award a concession for a casino and an adjoining gaming hall in Esquel. Tender documents cost ARS 5 million, and bids will be opened on November 6 at 11:00 a.m. in Rawson.
Governor Ignacio Torres
The tender provides for the gradual rehiring of former employees, although the property remains under a judicial attachment arising from labor claims. Attorney Martín Iturburu represents another eight workers, while Sebastián Pérez Rienzi warned that preparing new facilities could take approximately one year.
Governor Ignacio Torres continues provincial support measures. Chubut Lottery, whose management includes Damián Pieroni, oversees the concession process amid questions concerning Trewelyn's licensing status. Available sources do not identify the judge who issued the rulings or quantify the total outstanding severance liability.
