Gucci changes managers after workers' outcry
By Ni Yinbin |
October 12, 2011, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
GUCCI, the luxury goods producer, said last night it had changed managers in charge of the flagship store in south China's Shenzhen City and will further improve the management after five former shop assistants complained of inhuman working regulations.
In a late-night press release, the Shanghai based Gucci (China) Trading Limited said a series of measures had been taken to fix the "inappropriate management" after a thorough investigation of the complaints.
Besides changing managers in the Gucci store in Shenzhen's high-end MixC Mall, the company said it has also established a way for shop assistants to communicate directly with high-level managers and will intensify the training of its store management teams.
"Gucci will never allow or tolerate the inappropriate behaviors stated in the complaint," the company said in its press release. "As a responsible company, we'll continue to sincerely listen to the employees, respect and take care of them to create a good working environment."
The company further said it will hire outside consultants to evaluate its operation and will keep investing in welfare and training of its workers and managers.
But the world-famous luxury producer did not apologize or mention any compensation to its former employees.
Early this week, five former Gucci employees issued a public complain about the company's unfair treatment. In a letter to Gucci management, the five former shop assistants said workers at the MixC Mall store had to ask permission if they wanted a drink of water or needed to go to the rest room, where they were allowed to stay for no more than five minutes.
"It was a kind of torture for us to stand for more than 14 hours every day," they said in the letter. "Short rest, water or food was abandoned even for a pregnant employee."
The assistants were often asked to punch out and continue working so that no overtime payment would be recorded. Sometimes the non-payment overtime could last for several hours.
The assistants were also held responsible for any goods that went missing and everyone in the store was asked to compensate for the loss, they said.
The five assistants want an average of 100,000 yuan (US$15,754) each, a demand rejected by the company earlier this year.
Meanwhile, the All China Federation of Trade Unions showed support to the employees yesterday and promised to punish Gucci if the unfair treatment was verified.
"If such conditions and sweatshops really exist, our unions in Shenzhen will cooperate with the law enforcement team to punish the company," said Zou Zhen, a department director of the federation. "It's disrespectful to the basic rights of workers and must be stopped."
In a late-night press release, the Shanghai based Gucci (China) Trading Limited said a series of measures had been taken to fix the "inappropriate management" after a thorough investigation of the complaints.
Besides changing managers in the Gucci store in Shenzhen's high-end MixC Mall, the company said it has also established a way for shop assistants to communicate directly with high-level managers and will intensify the training of its store management teams.
"Gucci will never allow or tolerate the inappropriate behaviors stated in the complaint," the company said in its press release. "As a responsible company, we'll continue to sincerely listen to the employees, respect and take care of them to create a good working environment."
The company further said it will hire outside consultants to evaluate its operation and will keep investing in welfare and training of its workers and managers.
But the world-famous luxury producer did not apologize or mention any compensation to its former employees.
Early this week, five former Gucci employees issued a public complain about the company's unfair treatment. In a letter to Gucci management, the five former shop assistants said workers at the MixC Mall store had to ask permission if they wanted a drink of water or needed to go to the rest room, where they were allowed to stay for no more than five minutes.
"It was a kind of torture for us to stand for more than 14 hours every day," they said in the letter. "Short rest, water or food was abandoned even for a pregnant employee."
The assistants were often asked to punch out and continue working so that no overtime payment would be recorded. Sometimes the non-payment overtime could last for several hours.
The assistants were also held responsible for any goods that went missing and everyone in the store was asked to compensate for the loss, they said.
The five assistants want an average of 100,000 yuan (US$15,754) each, a demand rejected by the company earlier this year.
Meanwhile, the All China Federation of Trade Unions showed support to the employees yesterday and promised to punish Gucci if the unfair treatment was verified.
"If such conditions and sweatshops really exist, our unions in Shenzhen will cooperate with the law enforcement team to punish the company," said Zou Zhen, a department director of the federation. "It's disrespectful to the basic rights of workers and must be stopped."
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