With the #MeToo movement having spread to China, so has hotel workers complaints on safety and assault in addition to low wages and hazardous working conditions setting the stage for protests and a strike. With Marriott having recently ended the largest strike in hotel history in the United States, workers across China have now set the stage for their own strike. Social media has been an outlet for harrowing stories of assault and tales of hardship.
“Hotel and catering workers are some of the lowest-paid workers in China, they have few benefits, work long hours, often under intense pressure, and have little job security. And yet, these workers will usually only take collective action when they are pushed to the very limit. Nearly all the hotel and catering worker protests recorded on the Strike Map are caused by sudden business closures that leave employees out of work and owed several months wages in arrears. Under these circumstances, workers have no option but to stage protests in the hope that the local authorities will intervene and help them recover their wages.”
In the United States, Marriott employees are going back to work. Employees—in partnership with their union Unite Here—approved a new contract “after two-month strike that spread to 23 Marriott hotels in eight cities.”
“As part of all new contracts, Marriott will provide GPS-enabled panic buttons for housekeepers to alert security staff if they feel unsafe with a guest when cleaning a room. And for the first time, the company has agreed to ban guests who have a history of sexually harassing workers.”
China follows: “Just like their colleagues at hotels in the United States, female staff in China have voiced serious concerns about their own safety when faced with harassment from drunk or aggressive guests, but hotel management are usually more concerned with the hotel’s reputation for customer service than the safety of its staff. Yet, these concerns are seemingly never addressed by the trade union.”
This is an example of how the United States periodically guides in the fair and humane treatment of workers across the globe and how it must continue to encourage and facilitate those leading the charge in other countries. Those voices began with women and will persist and progress not only here in the States but across the world to help keep women safe and promote a balanced life.
BEC Integrated Solutions can help keep hotel employees safe and encourages your company to equip your employees with panic buttons. “Our systems are built with the latest in security innovation to provide for quick and direct communication for help. These Hotel Wireless Panic Alarm systems have been installed in hotels, motels, court rooms, malls and a variety of other residential and commercial properties. Protect your staff by providing them the tools needed to be able to call for help should an emergency arise.”
Contact BEC Integrated Solutions to get a free quote today.
