On March 24, China.org.cn carried a story 'Is Watsons Performing Illegal Searches on Its
Staff?' that reported Watsons employees are subjected to a
search by security guards when they leave work, where their bags
are examined as a theft prevention method.
Beijing Times first exposed the story upon hearing of
complaints from Watsons staff a month ago, and later China
Youth Daily picked up the scent and published a series of
stories. Yesterday, a response from the Watsons Company was made
available.
Bai Yu, manager of the company's Public Relations Department,
told China Youth Daily, "This is a tough problem. We are
tortured with such problems. We are seeking a more humane way,
which will not harm the benefits of the company and bring no
inconvenience to our staff, but we haven't found a win-win method.
We welcome public suggestions to solve the problem as soon as
possible."
For the media concerned "theft-preventions agreement," Bai
explained that it was a supplement document to labor contracts
employees signed with Watsons. The document stipulates that
employees are not to break rules during service, hide or steal
items from the store, and must be cooperative during checks to
prove themselves innocent of theft.
He believes not only Watsons, but any company would dole out
punishment if violations happen. "We were taking precautions and
hope no such case will happen in our stores. As far as I know, no
staff has ever raised objections to this rule, until now,?"
Bai said.
Bai said both the warehouse and locker room are inside the
store, but there is only one electronic patrol system available per
store and there are no cameras. As long as magnetic strips are torn
off, the electronic patrol system will not alarm. "Employees know
the rule when they sign labor contracts with Watsons. Theft from
staff is inevitable in this kind of retail chain store. We are
considering whether there is a better way to prevent it," said
Bai.
The Beijing Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU) will meet with
Watsons on this issue tomorrow, but Bai said Watsons hadn't
received any notice from BFTU, according to the China Youth
Daily report.
(China.org.cn by Zhang Yunxing, May 31, 2007)
