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)