political nonsense

An association of disenchanted Wal-Mart employees plan to complain.

(more…)

Walmart has agreed to pay $11 million to settle federal allegations that it had used illegal immigrants to clean its stores. The $11 million, a company spokeswoman said at a news conference in Washington today, would go to “help enforcement of immigration laws.”

In October 2003, federal officials rounded up 250 illegal immigrants at 60 Wal-Mart stores in 21 states.Many of the immigrants, who were hired by janitorial contractors, worked seven days or nights a week without pay or injury compensation, said a New York lawyer, James L. Linsey. In many states they were locked into the stores all night, he said.

“The poorest and most vulnerable people in the world were shamefully exploited by the richest and most powerful company on the planet.” Wal-Mart is the world’s largest retailer, with 1.2 million domestic workers. It had sales last year of $288.19 billion.

The inspector general of the Labor Department has decided to investigate its agreement to give Wal-Mart Stores 15 days’ notice before investigating any stores facing complaints of child labor violations, according to department officials…

Representative George Miller of California, the top Democrat on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce noted that Wal-Mart executives had contributed heavily to President Bush’s re-election.

In a recent settlement with Wal-mart regarding child labor violations, such as giving kids chainsaws, the justice department agreed to give Wal-mart 15 days notice prior to any future investigation in exchange for $135,000.
(more…)

more than a decade ago, Wal-Mart set its sights on conquering the globe with a mix of cheaply produced goods, discount prices and aggressive store growth.