An official with the All China Federation of Trade Unions said
Tuesday the US fast-food chains KFC, McDonald's and Pizza Hut have
violated China's Labor Law and they will take action to protect
workers' interests.
We have asked the Guangdong Province Federation to probe into
the employment of part-time workers by the US fast-food chains and
claim wage compensation on behalf of the workers involved, said the
official.
Other trade unions such as the Shanghai Trade Union, and the
Hubei and Fujian federations have also made their voices heard.
Hubei Province Federation has asked subordinate organizations to
investigate local foreign fast food chains suspected of similar
unlawful behavior.
The trade unions will work with local labor and social security
departments to provide legal aid for workers involved, said the
official.
He also revealed that the above two institutions will carry out
an inspection between May and June, aiming to find out illegal
practices in minimum wage paying and employment contract
signing.
A Guangzhou-based newspaper ran a report last week saying the US
fast-food chains are underpaying and overworking their part-time
staff.
The operators of the fast-food giants have moved to defend their
employment practices, saying the labor laws are unclear.
McDonald's has more than 790 restaurants and 50,000 employees on
the Chinese mainland and aims to open 100 new restaurants a
year.
Yum Brands, whose 2,000 KFC, Pizza Hut and Chinese-style East
Dawning restaurants in China generate nearly a third of its global
operating profit, has more than 100,000 staff.
(Xinhua News Agency April 4, 2007)