Draconian? Alibaba's Lazada demands staff to follow Covid-19 rules strictly

The conflict illustrates how Alibaba's business practices have sometimes played poorly abroad

At Lazada, the Southeast Asian arm of Alibaba Group Holding , staff are furious over demands they submit health reports daily and other coronavirus-prevention steps seen as too invasive, highlighting a long-running culture clash with management from China.

Since February, Singapore-based Lazada has asked all employees to answer detailed questions seven days a week about their health and where they have been lately, according to five people with direct knowledge of the matter.

While the e-commerce firm describes the health reports as not mandatory, employees receive frequent calls from human resources, even on weekends, to make sure reports are submitted, the people said.

Lazada