Community Task Force Wal-Mart and Human Rights Presented by: Melanie Murray, Anne Stojkovic, Stacey Krieg, Emily Todd, and Sarah Koontz

Community Task Force Community Task Force Wal-MartWal-Mart

and Human Rightsand Human Rights

Presented by: Melanie Murray, Anne Stojkovic, Stacey Krieg, Emily Todd, and Sarah Koontz

How it is…How it is…

Wages in factoriesWages in factories United States – Make between $6.00 and $7.50 an United States – Make between $6.00 and $7.50 an

hourhour China – 16.5 China – 16.5 ¢ an hour when legal minimum wage is ¢ an hour when legal minimum wage is

31 ¢ an hour31 ¢ an hour Nicaragua – 29 ¢ an hourNicaragua – 29 ¢ an hour Honduras – 43 Honduras – 43 ¢ an hour¢ an hour Bangladesh – Sewers get 20 ¢ an hour and helpers Bangladesh – Sewers get 20 ¢ an hour and helpers

make 9 ¢ and hour when the legal minimum wage is make 9 ¢ and hour when the legal minimum wage is 33 ¢33 ¢

Mexico – workers in the factories make around 60 ¢ Mexico – workers in the factories make around 60 ¢ per hour, while minimum wage around $3 per hour.per hour, while minimum wage around $3 per hour.


Number of hoursNumber of hours United States - Full time 28 to 40 hours and part time United States - Full time 28 to 40 hours and part time

is less than 28 hoursis less than 28 hours China – 12 to 16 hours a day/ 7 days a week and China – 12 to 16 hours a day/ 7 days a week and

overtime is not paidovertime is not paid Nicaragua – 69 hours per weekNicaragua – 69 hours per week Honduras – 12 to 14 hours a day, but can be forced Honduras – 12 to 14 hours a day, but can be forced

to work 24 hoursto work 24 hours Bangladesh – Work from 7:30 am to 8 pm daily. Bangladesh – Work from 7:30 am to 8 pm daily.

Work for holidays and sometimes 24 hours straight. Work for holidays and sometimes 24 hours straight. Only get paid for 80 hours. Only get paid for 80 hours.

Mexico Mexico – 80 hours per week. 15 to 22 hour days, can – 80 hours per week. 15 to 22 hour days, can be forced to work more.be forced to work more.

How it is…How it is…Working ConditionsWorking Conditions

BangladeshBangladesh

No health benefits and even though factory sizes are so No health benefits and even though factory sizes are so large that clinics are mandatory, none are present.large that clinics are mandatory, none are present.

Maternity leave is not given; women receive no benefits for Maternity leave is not given; women receive no benefits for time off and may lose their jobs after having children.time off and may lose their jobs after having children.

To use the restroom, workers must have a ticket and breaks To use the restroom, workers must have a ticket and breaks are timed.are timed.

Production demands are high and workers are berated if Production demands are high and workers are berated if demands aren’t met.demands aren’t met.

Bangladesh regulations prevent unions and workers are fired Bangladesh regulations prevent unions and workers are fired for complaining while working.for complaining while working.


China China Factories have had health violationsFactories have had health violationsThey allow child laborThey allow child laborEmergency exits and medical boxes are normally lockedEmergency exits and medical boxes are normally lockedLong hours without movement on stools with no backsLong hours without movement on stools with no backsWorkers cannot go to the bathroom without permissionWorkers cannot go to the bathroom without permissionFrisked before they leaveFrisked before they leaveHave to meet quotas and work up to 19 hours straightHave to meet quotas and work up to 19 hours straightWorker abuse and pregnancy tests.Worker abuse and pregnancy tests.


Working conditionsWorking conditions United StatesUnited States

Managers told to intimidate workers who speak out Managers told to intimidate workers who speak out (illegal surveillance)(illegal surveillance)

Unions are not allowed and workers are investigated Unions are not allowed and workers are investigated if they try to start themif they try to start them

Time cards are fixed if workers go over 40 hours a Time cards are fixed if workers go over 40 hours a week (150 dollars cheated out of workers in Texas)week (150 dollars cheated out of workers in Texas)

Workers are encouraged to depend on Medicaid Workers are encouraged to depend on Medicaid instead of Wal-Mart's health insuranceinstead of Wal-Mart's health insurance

Illegal aliens locked in all-night Wal-Mart shiftsIllegal aliens locked in all-night Wal-Mart shifts No action for racial and gender discriminationNo action for racial and gender discrimination


NicaraguaNicaragua No access to health careNo access to health care Bathrooms are lockedBathrooms are locked If workers try to defend their rights, they are If workers try to defend their rights, they are

fired and blacklisted.fired and blacklisted. Overtime is forcedOvertime is forced Pregnancy testsPregnancy tests


Working Conditions Working Conditions HondurasHonduras

Cannot organize unionsCannot organize unions Forced to ask permission to use the restroomForced to ask permission to use the restroom Mistreated by supervisorsMistreated by supervisors

Costa RicaCosta Rica Pregnancy testsPregnancy tests Often locked in factory compoundOften locked in factory compound Mandatory overtimeMandatory overtime Water is not safe to drinkWater is not safe to drink Need permission to go to the restroomNeed permission to go to the restroom Not enough ventilation in the factories Not enough ventilation in the factories Padlocked fire exits Padlocked fire exits


MexicoMexico Employees forced to work off the clockEmployees forced to work off the clock 120120º working conditionsº working conditions Unable to form unions because they will be shut down Unable to form unions because they will be shut down

if a union is formed.if a union is formed. Violate child labor lawsViolate child labor laws Bathrooms are locked and can only be used once in Bathrooms are locked and can only be used once in

the morning and once in the evening. the morning and once in the evening. Workers are unable to take breaks while working their Workers are unable to take breaks while working their

15 to 20 hour days.15 to 20 hour days.


Things not talked about…Things not talked about… China China

Chinese factory management trained workers to Chinese factory management trained workers to answer prepared questions and paid them a bonus answer prepared questions and paid them a bonus for remembering them correctly during visits by for remembering them correctly during visits by Wal-Mart inspectors. Wal-Mart inspectors.

They have doctored time cards.They have doctored time cards.Workers fired and blacklisted if they try to defend Workers fired and blacklisted if they try to defend

their rights their rights No unannounced inspections of its contractors’ No unannounced inspections of its contractors’

facilities are allowed.facilities are allowed.


Things not talked about…Things not talked about…MexicoMexico

In 2004, Wal-Mart built a 71,902 square foot In 2004, Wal-Mart built a 71,902 square foot store near the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon store near the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon in San Juan Teotichuacan which were made in San Juan Teotichuacan which were made by the Aztecs.by the Aztecs.

Archeological digs from the site of the store Archeological digs from the site of the store actually reveal that there were ancient actually reveal that there were ancient artifacts but Wal-Mart ordered its construction artifacts but Wal-Mart ordered its construction workers to hide any pieces they found.workers to hide any pieces they found.

Actions of Community Actions of Community MembersMembers

Blogs which make others aware of the poor Blogs which make others aware of the poor conditionsconditions

LawsuitsLawsuits In September, workers from Swaziland, Nicaragua, In September, workers from Swaziland, Nicaragua,

Indonesia, Bangladesh, China and California sued Indonesia, Bangladesh, China and California sued Wal-Mart in the California Superior Court in Los Wal-Mart in the California Superior Court in Los Angeles. The workers in the countries outside of the Angeles. The workers in the countries outside of the U.S. “…were denied their basic minimum wage, U.S. “…were denied their basic minimum wage, forced to work overtime, and in certain cases denied forced to work overtime, and in certain cases denied the right to organize” (the right to organize” (www.laborrights.orgwww.laborrights.org). The ). The workers from California are “…employees of workers from California are “…employees of California businesses which have been harmed by California businesses which have been harmed by Wal-Mart’s unfair labor practices,” Wal-Mart’s unfair labor practices,” (www.laborrights.org).(www.laborrights.org).

Actions of Community Actions of Community MembersMembers

There have been many other lawsuits There have been many other lawsuits against Wal-Mart throughout the United against Wal-Mart throughout the United States.States.

ProtestsProtests In November, three workers, from Swaziland, In November, three workers, from Swaziland,

Columbia and Mexico, protested Wal-Mart in Columbia and Mexico, protested Wal-Mart in Michigan with 14 people from Michigan State Michigan with 14 people from Michigan State University.University.

Our conclusionsOur conclusions

Wal-Mart’s treatment of employees is Wal-Mart’s treatment of employees is incompatible with company rhetoric. incompatible with company rhetoric.

This corporate behavior is unacceptable This corporate behavior is unacceptable

Wal-Mart’s responsibilitiesWal-Mart’s responsibilities

1. Wal-Mart must enforce legal minimum wages 1. Wal-Mart must enforce legal minimum wages for employees in foreign countries. for employees in foreign countries.

2. Wal-Mart must guarantee basic human rights to 2. Wal-Mart must guarantee basic human rights to all of its employees, including healthcare, all of its employees, including healthcare, decent working conditions, and reasonable decent working conditions, and reasonable working hours.working hours.

Adequate medical facilities for factory employees Adequate medical facilities for factory employees need to be open and available at all times.need to be open and available at all times.

Working conditions such as temperature control, Working conditions such as temperature control, sufficient time for restroom and meal breaks, and sufficient time for restroom and meal breaks, and access to emergency exits are essential.access to emergency exits are essential.

Employees need to be treated with respect by their Employees need to be treated with respect by their supervisors.supervisors.

3. Wal-Mart has to attend to the needs of its 3. Wal-Mart has to attend to the needs of its employees in the United States. employees in the United States. Employees need to be allowed to exercise Employees need to be allowed to exercise

their Constitutional right of freedom of their Constitutional right of freedom of association through forming unions.association through forming unions.

Through a union, employees can express Through a union, employees can express their concerns, voice their opinions, and make their concerns, voice their opinions, and make changes in their workplace.changes in their workplace.

Our ProposalOur Proposal

Appeal to the top executives of Wal-Mart and to Appeal to the top executives of Wal-Mart and to government officials, both within the United States and government officials, both within the United States and other countries.other countries.

To bring these issues to the attention of said officials, we To bring these issues to the attention of said officials, we plan to increase public awareness.plan to increase public awareness.1. Advertising campaigns displaying Wal-Mart’s corporate failures 1. Advertising campaigns displaying Wal-Mart’s corporate failures

Documentary filmsDocumentary films BillboardsBillboards RalliesRallies Informational pamphletsInformational pamphlets

2. Grassroots organizations 2. Grassroots organizations Once they are aware of the atrocities, the public will pressure their Once they are aware of the atrocities, the public will pressure their

legislators and Wal-Mart executives to make the necessary legislators and Wal-Mart executives to make the necessary changes.changes.

OutcomeOutcome

Intense advertising campaign will inspire Intense advertising campaign will inspire the public to rise to the occasion and make the public to rise to the occasion and make its voice heard. its voice heard.

Result:Result: Those in power will no longer be Those in power will no longer be able to ignore these problems and will be able to ignore these problems and will be forced to take immediate action. forced to take immediate action.

SourcesSources Damashek, Amy. “Sweatshop Human Rights Abuses: The Top 10 List.” Damashek, Amy. “Sweatshop Human Rights Abuses: The Top 10 List.”

Peaceworks Monitor ArchivesPeaceworks Monitor Archives. August 2000. 28 November 2005 . August 2000. 28 November 2005 <http://peaceworks.missouri.org/monitor/2000/augsep/offenders.html>.<http://peaceworks.missouri.org/monitor/2000/augsep/offenders.html>.

Kernaghan, Charles. “Wal-Mart Whistleblower Speaks out: Working for Kernaghan, Charles. “Wal-Mart Whistleblower Speaks out: Working for Wal-Mart as a Monitor.” Wal-Mart as a Monitor.” The National Labor CommitteeThe National Labor Committee. June 2005. 28 . June 2005. 28 November 2005. <http://www.nlcnet.org/news/james_lynn.shtml>. November 2005. <http://www.nlcnet.org/news/james_lynn.shtml>.

Shultz, T.M. “Protesters target local Wal-Mart.” Shultz, T.M. “Protesters target local Wal-Mart.” News and Press: Lansing News and Press: Lansing State JournalState Journal 18 November 2005. 28 November 2005. 18 November 2005. 28 November 2005. <http://www.laborrights.org/press/Wal-Mart/speakingtour_lansing_111805.ht<http://www.laborrights.org/press/Wal-Mart/speakingtour_lansing_111805.htm>.m>.

““Sweatshop Workers on Four Continents Sue Wal-Mart in California Court.” Sweatshop Workers on Four Continents Sue Wal-Mart in California Court.” News and Press News and Press 13 September 2005. 28 November 2005 13 September 2005. 28 November 2005 <http://www.laborrights.org/press/Wal-Mart/lawsuit_pressrelease_091305.ht<http://www.laborrights.org/press/Wal-Mart/lawsuit_pressrelease_091305.htm>.m>.

““Wal-Mart: Every Day Low Wages.” Wal-Mart: Every Day Low Wages.” InterReligious Task Force on Central InterReligious Task Force on Central AmericaAmerica. 27 November 2005 <http://www.irtfcleveland.org/Wal-Mart.htm>.. 27 November 2005 <http://www.irtfcleveland.org/Wal-Mart.htm>.

Wal-Mart: High Cost of Low Prices.Wal-Mart: High Cost of Low Prices. Dir. Robert Greenwald. DVD. Brave Dir. Robert Greenwald. DVD. Brave New Films, 2005. New Films, 2005.

Sources ContinuedSources Continued http://walmartwatch.com/blog/archives/dateline_investigation_on_supplier_shttp://walmartwatch.com/blog/archives/dateline_investigation_on_supplier_s

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weat_shops.cfmweat_shops.cfm http://http://www.chinalaborwatch.org/en/web/article.php?article_idwww.chinalaborwatch.org/en/web/article.php?article_id=50044=50044 http://www.zonalatina.comhttp://www.zonalatina.com http://www.marginalrevolution.comhttp://www.marginalrevolution.com http://www.latinopundit.comhttp://www.latinopundit.com http://www.corpwatch.comhttp://www.corpwatch.com http://www.democracynow.orghttp://www.democracynow.org http://www.laborrights.orghttp://www.laborrights.org http://www.people.umass.edu/cmodonne/bangladesh.htmlhttp://www.people.umass.edu/cmodonne/bangladesh.html http://www.wakeupwalmart.com/factshttp://www.wakeupwalmart.com/facts

Documents

Community Task Force Wal-Mart and Human Rights Presented by: Melanie Murray, Anne Stojkovic, Stacey Krieg, Emily Todd, and Sarah Koontz