Hong Kong Disneyland staff protest hair-dye, water ban
09.09.2005, 07:34 AM
HONG KONG (AFX) - Employees of Hong Kong Disneyland, which opens next week, have complained about restrictions such as bans on dyed or long hair and on drinking water in front of customers, a union said.
Legislator Lee Cheuk-yan, general secretary of Hong Kong the Confederation of Trade Unions, said the group has received 20 complaints from staff. He accused Disney of failing to care for its workers' health.
Employees can only drink water during their 15-minute breaks, which come just once every four hours compared with every two hours for Disney staff in the United States, he said.
'They have to wait until they rest. So they are only allowed to drink every four hours. Why can't they let them sip a bit of water? Hong Kong is such a hot place,' Lee told Agence France-Presse.
'You know their work is hard, they have to work in the rain and in the heat, but Disney doesn't care about their health.'
Hong Kong staff also miss out on benefits given in the US such as 'walking time' to allow them to get from one task to another. Female workers must wear a skirt and tights, whereas trousers are allowed in the American parks, Lee said.
Employees have also complained that they are barred from dying their hair, growing it long or wearing a beard, he added.
'We feel that Disney should respect their basic human rights. These people often work 11-12 hours a day. They should be more reasonable with them,' Lee said.
Lee said he and other union members will hand out leaflets at the theme park Saturday, encouraging Disney staff to set up a union to protect their labour rights.
A Disney spokeswoman declined to comment on restrictions imposed on staff but denied mistreating workers.
'Our cast members are our most important assets and we are proud of our record as a responsible employer,' the spokeswoman said.
'We are right at the beginning of building a long-term relationship with our cast members here and we respect their needs.'
Hong Kong Disneyland's opening on Monday will follow a series of glitches including rows over its impact on the environment, an invasion of stray dogs and a dispute over plans to serve ecologically unsound shark's fin soup.
09.09.2005, 07:34 AM
HONG KONG (AFX) - Employees of Hong Kong Disneyland, which opens next week, have complained about restrictions such as bans on dyed or long hair and on drinking water in front of customers, a union said.
Legislator Lee Cheuk-yan, general secretary of Hong Kong the Confederation of Trade Unions, said the group has received 20 complaints from staff. He accused Disney of failing to care for its workers' health.
Employees can only drink water during their 15-minute breaks, which come just once every four hours compared with every two hours for Disney staff in the United States, he said.
'They have to wait until they rest. So they are only allowed to drink every four hours. Why can't they let them sip a bit of water? Hong Kong is such a hot place,' Lee told Agence France-Presse.
'You know their work is hard, they have to work in the rain and in the heat, but Disney doesn't care about their health.'
Hong Kong staff also miss out on benefits given in the US such as 'walking time' to allow them to get from one task to another. Female workers must wear a skirt and tights, whereas trousers are allowed in the American parks, Lee said.
Employees have also complained that they are barred from dying their hair, growing it long or wearing a beard, he added.
'We feel that Disney should respect their basic human rights. These people often work 11-12 hours a day. They should be more reasonable with them,' Lee said.
Lee said he and other union members will hand out leaflets at the theme park Saturday, encouraging Disney staff to set up a union to protect their labour rights.
A Disney spokeswoman declined to comment on restrictions imposed on staff but denied mistreating workers.
'Our cast members are our most important assets and we are proud of our record as a responsible employer,' the spokeswoman said.
'We are right at the beginning of building a long-term relationship with our cast members here and we respect their needs.'
Hong Kong Disneyland's opening on Monday will follow a series of glitches including rows over its impact on the environment, an invasion of stray dogs and a dispute over plans to serve ecologically unsound shark's fin soup.
