Gucci China store staff members have to follow many unfair rules of the company, said two former employees of a Gucci store in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, the Guangzhou-based Xinkuaibao newspaper reported on October 8.

The Gucci employees at the Shenzhen store have to ask permission from their superior before drinking water, and they cannot take more than five minutes to use the toilet, a former employee of the store said.

Another former empolyee said she had to stand for more than ten hours a day when she was working for Gucci even during her pregnancy. She also complained that the company did not allow her to eat fruits or snacks during breaks.

Gucci responded to the claims by saying that the company has always paid close attention to its employees’ welfare, and it has been investigating into the complaints and will deal with them properly as soon as possible.

Another former staff member of Gucci (China) filed a formal complaint in August, alleging that the company did not pay for overtime work.

China's business press carried the story above on Saturday.