Micky mouse and friends are not happy -- at least the staff who wear the
cartoon characters' costumes in Hong Kong Disneyland aren't.
Mickey Mouse in front
of Sleeping Beauty Castle at the Hong Kong Disneyland Park, July 2005. The
city's troubled Disney theme park has been stung by yet more complaints
when a staff union accused management of setting unfair pay scales and
overworking crew. [AFP] |
The troubled Disney theme park has been stung by yet more complaints when a
staff union accused management of setting unfair pay scales and overworking
crew.
The Hong Kong Disneyland Cast Members Union said the resort, which is
majority owned by the Hong Kong government, was also being stingy on contracts
and holiday entitlements.
The union said Sunday staff employed to dress as Mickey and other famous
characters and perform in the park's stage shows were paid up to 22 percent more
than those who donned the same costumes in other parts of the park.
"Although character performers in the parade section and meet-and-greet ...
have similar roles and qualifications as those of the show cast, their salaries
differ unreasonably," the union said.
It said regular staff received HK$9,000 (US$1,153) a month, while show cast
were paid HK$11,000.
It also said the company had begun hiring staff on short-term contracts to
avoid paying health and other benefits.
Staff were working more than the 45 hours per week stipulated in their job
descriptions and had been told they must multitask in other parts of the park.
"Many character performers have severe occupational injuries due to long
working hours, insufficient break times, heavy and suffocating costumes and so
forth," the union said.
Sunday's appeal came as the theme park geared up for the Easter crowds and an
influx of mainland visitors during the May "golden week" holidays.
Disney management were unavailable for comment.
The union attack is the latest setback for the US$3 billion resort, the first
Disney theme park in China which opened to huge fanfare in September.
In February hundreds of customers went on the rampage outside the park after
confusion over a new ticketing system saw them locked out despite having paid
their entry fee.
It has also faced complaints from customers that the park is too small, that
the hotels had been infested with pests and that there was too much emphasis on
selling merchandise.
Staff formed the union late last year after many crew members complained of
being exploited.