In response to the resignations of twelve cashiers, Zhe Haiyan, a representative from Carrefour's Haikou store says that the working time for cashiers and their compensation has been increased.
Starting in January 2007, full-time cashiers can now receive RMB870 per month. Zhe says the store has been adjusting and improving the systems after its opening in November 2006, and it is trying to improve benefits for employees.
Twelve cashiers at Carrefour's store recently resigned becuase they could not handle the heavy work load and poor salary and benefits. A representative for these 12 cashiers says that they often needed to work overtime, and the duty arrangements were confusing.
She says that employees often have to stay in the store for a whole day and Carrefour previously was only offering them RMB600 per month.
Carrefour says that worldwide it is commited to guaranteeing satisfactory working conditions for its teams, and offering opportunities for promotion within the group. The company has established staff training centers in Brazil and has introduced a staff share-ownership scheme that will enable all members of the Carrefour family to share in the group's success. Over 200,000 employees around the world have joined this scheme, representing 60% of our total workforce.
Guaranteeing appropriate working conditions for the company's suppliers' workforce is also important. In partnership with the International Federation for Human Rights , the company has put in place a wide-ranging program aimed at ensuring that its suppliers use neither child nor forced labour and that they adhere to appropriate standards of employee welfare. Furthermore, owing to the current political climate in that country, they say they have also stopped buying goods produced in Myanmar.
The company's website contains a statement of purpose that reads, "We firmly believe that our responsible approach is the source of our financial success. Carrefour's sustainable development policy has always been firmly rooted in action: we are committed to proving our dedication to social, economic and environmental concerns by placing them at the heart of our day-to-day practices."
