Chapter 149 Securing Labor Force And Respecting Human Rights
With the development of various products, including Elma Brandy, Sara felt that it was finally time to fully launch the merchant guild.
'The first store doesn't have to be that big, but it needs to be a place where high-ranking nobles can come and go without any issues, with interior design that's fitting for that. Let's go see the main store that Grandfather has prepared. If it's not suitable as a store, I can use it as an office and warehouse instead. I think Ms. Amelia (Pharmacist Girl)'s products should have a separate store as a specialty shop, but I can wait and see how customers react first. At the very least, I should secure a warehouse, and I need to stockpile wheat as a backup.'
"Grandfather, I'd like to visit the merchant guild's main store soon."
"That's right. We should get moving soon."
'By the way, I can't neglect the Commerce Guild either...'
"I'll instruct Sophia to head to the Commerce Guild. If we don't join the Commerce Guild, it'll be tough to hire employees, after all."
"That's true. You need to join the guild, no question. As for recruitment, we can also put out a notice at the Academy."
"That makes sense. That's a good idea too."
'But...I really want someone who could able to work immediately. If I poach the maid from the executive office, I'll get scolded. Besides, being a maid at Grandchester Castle is a dream job for women around here, so it's pointless to try to persuade them. But how do I find people who can handle customer service for nobles?'
Sara's habit of sinking deep into thought, her face a picture of contemplation, was a familiar sight to the people working at Grandchester Castle. But to Cindy, who was seeing Sara for the first time, it looked like an 8-year-old girl had lost her way, and she couldn't help but worry.
"Miss Sara, is something wrong?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. I was just lost in thought."
"Lost in thought? Is there something bothering you?"
Not wanting to worry the kind Cindy, Sara returned a bright smile.
"I was thinking about how to sell the products made by Ms. Cindy and many others. Dealing with nobles and wealthy clients is likely, given the high-end goods I have in stock. but I was wondering how to secure staff who can handle customer service."
"So you're going to register with the Commerce Guild, Sara? People who want to work in business usually apply through the Commerce Guild, and the Guild introduces people with the right abilities for the job, don't they?"
Robert asked Sara, seemingly puzzled as to why she was so worried about this.
"That's true, Father, but I'm also afraid of getting tangled up with other merchant guilds and stores."
"Ah, I see. You're worried about that. It's unavoidable to some extent. Besides, for important positions, we can make magic-based non-disclosure agreements."
"What happens if you break the magic-based non-disclosure agreement?"
"You can't even say it out loud, and if you try to tell someone, you'll suffer terribly. If you still try to force it, you'll die."
"Eeek! I want to keep secrets, but I don't need that kind of coercive power! I'd rather have people keep secrets based on trust if possible."
"No, this magic is also for protecting those who know the secret. If someone force them to talk, they'll end up dead, and the ones listening will also be threatened, so they can't use strong-arm tactics like using family members as hostages."
"Hmm... I see."
'This world is terrifying, isn't it?!'
"Honestly, I'd like to have a few maids from the office sent to me."
"That's not something I can grant, unfortunately. Those girls are really valuable, you know."
"Yes, indeed."
Sara let out a deep sigh at Marquis' words, and Cindy asked another question.
"What do you need to do to become a maid in that office? Of course, it's not a job just anyone can do, but there are many women around me who want to work."
"Many women?"
Cindy's words struck a chord with Sara.
"Yes. My workshop is located on the outskirts of the capital, and there are many poor women living alone nearby, as well as mothers who lost their husbands and are raising children."
"Is there a reason for that?"
"Since the river is nearby, not just glassmakers but all sorts of craftsmen have set up their workshops there. Naturally, women doing menial labor like cooking and laundry also gather there."
"I see."
"That being said, there are also craftsmen with rough tempers and violent tendencies. Some of them even target single women, trying to take advantage of them. That's why these women band together and live in the same area to support each other."
"That's reassuring. But from what I've heard, don't they live there because they have jobs?"
Cindy gently shook her head from side to side.
"Of course, there are many women who have jobs, but there are also women who can't work and are struggling to make ends meet."
"Is that because they've reached an age where they can't work anymore?"
"Yes. Being a workshop apprentice isn't an easy job. If you get old or hurt your body, you'll get fired."
It's natural, of course. Just like in Sarasa's past life, there's no employment insurance or pension. And of course, there's no worker's compensation or welfare system either.
"And..."
"What's wrong?"
"Well, I'm hesitant to say this in front of the young ones, but there are people who get physically abused at work and can't move anymore. They get injured or mentally traumatized and can't return to work."
"What?!"
Sara was shocked and lost for words. This kind of talk is definitely violent and takes away people's dignity. Sara glared sharply at Marquis and Robert.
"Grandfather, Father! Is Grandchester a place where such lawlessness is allowed? What's going on with the law and order?"
"Calm down, Sara. Of course, if there's a complaint from a woman, the knights of the realm will investigate and take appropriate measures. If the perpetrator is found guilty, they'll be ordered to pay damages. If the perpetrator can't pay, the realm will pay the damages instead and the perpetrator will be punished until they can pay it back."
Cindy reacted to this statement.
"Your Excellency the Marquis, I apologize for my impolite words. However, that amount of damages is almost meaningless. It's not enough for a woman who's been abused to start a new life."
"Ms. Cindy, what's the compensation amount, exactly?"
"It's the same as the victim's household income."
"That's...too harsh. Can't they at least set a minimum amount? I don't know who made that law, but it's like they only considered nobles and the wealthy as victims. What about single mothers or poor families living alone? They don't have a household income to speak of. And if they become victims, it's hard for them to keep working at the same job, don't you understand?"
"There are many women who won't file a complaint even if they've been suffering from domestic violence for a long time, Miss Sara. Especially if they have kids, they can't just suddenly lose their job."
"This is too cruel..."
The women's situation was so harsh that Sara started crying silently. And at the same time, she imagined what would have happened if she hadn't regained her past memories and had stayed in the Grandchester mansion in the capital. Would she have been safe?
"I-I'm sorry. I shouldn't have talked about this in front of you, Miss Sara."
Cindy looked flustered when she saw Sara crying.
"Lady Cindy, don't worry about it. Sara isn't as young as she looks. She's just feeling sorry for the weak people in the territory. No, maybe she's blaming me. As a lord who's supposed to protect the people, I..."
"I'm not blaming you, Grandfather. You're not a god, and I know you can't save everyone. But if you know about it, you can try to do something about it, right?"
"That's true."
Sara smiled slightly, still sniffling, at the Marquis's words.
Also, due to the revision of the dominion's laws this year, a minimum compensation for damages from violence has been established, and penalties for sexual violence have been strengthened in particular. Thanks to Sara's strong advocacy, it has been decided that sexual violence is not limited to men against women, but also includes same-sex violence and women against men.
The names and occupations of those who commit sexual violence will be made public, and a "brand" indicating that they are perpetrators of sexual violence will be seared onto their forehead or the back of their head. This brand is applied using fire-attribute magic, so if it's removed with healing magic, the authorities will be notified immediately. By the way, when Sara heard about the brand, she thought "this world is scary after all," but she didn't say it out loud.
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