Latest Headlines

Wal-Mart To Lay Off 300 At Bentonville Headquarters -02.17.10 | Arkansas Business

Walmart, others make money on Oregon’s energy tax credits -02.17.10 | The Oregonian

Former Avon Wal-Mart employees claim discrimination -02.17.10 | Associated Press

More News

Fact Sheets

The Employee Free Choice Act Legislation that will truly make a difference for Wal-Mart workers

Wage & Hour Issues Read how Wal-Mart continually fails to pay every worker for every hour worked

Health Care Wal-Mart's still insures barely over half its employees on the company plan

Always Low Wages Poverty-level wages make life extremely difficult for Wal-Mart's 1.4 million workers

The Environment How Wal-Mart's business model is detrimental for our planet

Working Conditions Remain Poor in Wal-Mart Supplier Factories Around the Globe

This article from Women’s Wear Daily comes out as workers come off a three-week-long strike at Wal-Mart supplier factories in Jordan. The National Labor Committee reports that workers striked for better working conditions and better pay, claiming that the factory paid less than half of what was owed. The story comes on the heels of another article exposing abominable working conditions at Wal-Mart’s supplier factories in China. Dozens countries struggle to monitor thousands of sweatshop-like factories, but one factor remains a constant: Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart continues to go where labor is cheap and oversight is negligible yet refuses to take responsibility for its supplier factories.

In the mid-1990s, the company pledged to improve its sourcing track record and force suppliers to adhere to a code of ethics. Obviously, this is not happening. The NLC urges visitors to write to Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott and demand that Wal-Mart take responsibility for its supplier plants. More information is on their website.

Jordan Labor Conditions Improving but Problems Persist [Women’s Wear Daily]

More than a year and a half after the National Labor Committee detailed poor working conditions in Jordanian apparel factories, the watchdog group, while acknowledging progress in the country, continues to find some abuses.

On Monday, the New York-based NLC said workers at the Classic Fashion Apparel Industry factory in Al Hassan Industrial City were set to return to work, at least on an interim basis, after striking over wages that they claimed were half of what was legally due them. The NLC, which first publicized the case last month, also said the workers, who made goods for Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Gap Inc., among others, toiled in poor conditions.

Wal-Mart, which generally contracts out its apparel production, did not respond to a request for comment. A Gap spokeswoman said the company had identified several issues and is working to resolve them.

In November, the NLC charged that workers at the D.K. Garments factory, which produced bikinis and underwear for Victoria’s Secret, toiled in poor conditions and were threatened with forced deportation after striking to protest the imprisonment of six co-workers. A spokeswoman for Limited Brands Inc., which owns Victoria’s Secret, said the company moved immediately to “identify and address areas of concern.”

“It just goes without saying that we all have to do more at every level, at the factory level, at the company level, at the host-state level, until we can eradicate what is obviously a scourge.” Charles Kernaghan, executive director of the NLC, agreed the Limited has been “quite insistent on getting the workers back wages for overtime.”

The NLC’s recent allegations came in the wake of a May 2006 investigation that found working conditions there were generally below what was allowed by Jordanian law and prompted a review by Jordanian and U.S. authorities.

Jordanian officials mobilized, putting together a plan calling for 120 new labor inspectors, higher pay, a hotline workers could call to register complaints in their native languages and a new monitoring program based on a model successfully employed in Cambodia. The country’s factory inspection apparatus in Jordan remains a work in progress.

“They’re still running with perhaps an inadequate budget,” said Kernaghan. “There are too many mistakes in their research. I don’t find it credible anymore. We’re getting appeals from Jordan, several a week now. This thing isn’t working like it was supposed to work.”

The minimum wage was increased to the equivalent of about $155 a month, up from $130, and the hotline was set up, but only eight inspectors have been added and 60 more are expected to be put in place this year. The monitoring program, which is slated to receive $2.7 million in U.S. funding, is set to start up in the next few months.

“You’re going to have allegations [of labor abuses] until everything that we’ve been talking about is put in place, regretfully, until we have 120 inspectors, until we have adequate financing,” Zeid Ra’ad Al-Hussein, Jordan’s ambassador to the U.S., said in an interview. “It just goes without saying that we all have to do more at every level, at the factory level, at the company level, at the host-state level, until we can eradicate what is obviously a scourge.”

Jordan has done what it can with its limited resources, he said.

“One assumes that those leading the companies would be more sensitive to, one, Jordanian law, and two, to the humanitarian conditions of their own workers,” said the ambassador. “As it transpired, we may have assumed wrongly. So we are learning.”

The U.S. government has been involved because goods made in Jordan can gain duty-free entry to America under a free trade agreement with the Middle East country and a second arrangement under a U.S.-Israeli trade pact.

“Overall, we’re very pleased with progress in Jordan,” said a spokesman in the office of U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab. “Jordan has been responsive to [NLC] reports, investigating all of the allegations and addressing problems in factories. The U.S. government is providing assistance, as are international organizations, to help Jordan continue to build capacity so its Labor Ministry can continue to enforce its laws.”

Fashion executives and government officials, while charging that some of the specific allegations in the NLC’s work are dated or inaccurate, say the general thrust of its findings are usually on target. For his part, Kernaghan wonders how brands with codes of conduct and inspectors can miss abuses, such as the poor conditions he alleges persist in some Jordanian factories.

“Nobody’s exactly right on the issue, but everybody’s working toward the same goal of improving labor working conditions in Jordan,” said Nate Herman, director of international trade at the American Apparel & Footwear Association. “The industry has made great strides through the last decade [on labor issues], but we also recognize we have a long way to go.”

Apparel imports from Jordan, made primarily by foreign workers there, weighed in at $1.1 billion for the 12 months ended Oct. 31, up from just over $50 million in 2000.

Posted by Alex Goldschmidt on Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Click Here for a Printer-Friendly Version

COMMENTS

http://wqwreqafgrgdf.host.com
desk3
desk4
[link=http://wqwaeqafgrgdf.host.com]desk6[/link]

Kentvqe in Log Angeles
Wednesday, January 09 at 07:33 AM

Hey! http://members7.boardhost.com/galina/ http://www.realmacsoftware.com/support/profile.php?id=17747 cialis http://usuarios.lycos.es/rsrage/dzpm.html diazepam http://usuarios.lycos.es/rsrage/vcdn.html vicodin http://forums.pbwiki.com/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=15063 tramadol http://usuarios.lycos.es/rsrage/valm.html valium http://www.weather.com/search/partner?Keywords=Buy+Levitra+site:levitra.be.tt levitra http://forums.mozillazine.org/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=306661 viagra http://www.realmacsoftware.com/support/profile.php?id=17748 viagra http://discussion.treocentral.com/member.php?u=99614 cialis

Amberfcc in Log Angeles
Thursday, January 10 at 03:35 AM

Hi! http://usuarios.lycos.es/rsrage/vgr.html viagra http://www.weather.com/search/partner?Keywords=Buy+Phentermine+site:phentermine1.be.tt phentermine http://usuarios.lycos.es/rsrage/xnx.html xanax http://usuarios.lycos.es/rsrage/phnt.html phentermine http://www.rottentomatoes.com/search/web_search.php?q=site:ultram.net.tf&buy;-ultram ultram http://forums.pbwiki.com/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=15061 adipex http://usuarios.lycos.es/rsrage/trmd.html tramadol http://orgs.tamu-commerce.edu/csa/_schooldisc/000087d0.htm viagra http://orgs.tamu-commerce.edu/csa/_schooldisc/000087d1.htm phentermine http://forums.pbwiki.com/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=15062 levitra

Avanxf in Log Angeles
Thursday, January 10 at 01:15 PM

Hi! http://forums.ipodhacks.com/showthread.php?t=19572 lowest prices for cialis http://mdvip.awardspace.com/lvt.html buy levitra without prescription http://www.altavista.com/web/results?itag=ody&q=Cialis+site:levitra.eu.tt&c;-topic=levitra+pills levitra pills http://boards.cruisecritic.com/member.php?u=318081 buy phentermine no doctor http://www.altavista.com/web/results?itag=ody&q=Cialis+site:levitra.be.tt&c;-topic=levitra+on+cheap+prices levitra on cheap prices http://boards.cruisecritic.com/member.php?u=318078 buy viagra online inurl http://boards.cruisecritic.com/member.php?u=318077 order generic cialis http://boards.cruisecritic.com/member.php?u=318067 levitra on cheap prices http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/members/mkmod.html buy adipex without prescription http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/members/parkerdave.html phentermine online

Craigvcw in Washington
Monday, January 14 at 03:14 PM

Hey! http://www.pwctoday.com/member.php?u=41681 buy phentermine http://www.weather.com/search/partner?Keywords=Buy+Viagra+Nowsite:viagra1.net.tf&cheap;-viagra cheap viagra http://www.actionscript.org/forums/member.php3?u=64012 buy ultram http://easternbaptist.org/Sermon_Resources/00003ef3.htm buy cialis online http://easternbaptist.org/Sermon_Resources/00003ef8.htm buy xanax online http://forums.ugo.com/member.php?u=47172 cheap levitra http://www.weather.com/search/partner?Keywords=Buy+Cialis+site:cialis.eu.tt&cheap;-cialis cheap cialis http://www.weather.com/search/partner?Keywords=Buy+Levitra+site:levitra.be.tt&buy;-levitra buy levitra http://orgs.tamu-commerce.edu/csa/_schooldisc/000092a3.htm buy phentermine http://www.animationmagazine.net/forum/member.php?u=246 order levitra

Alaneyz in New York
Wednesday, January 16 at 09:28 AM

Hey! http://forums.ugo.com/member.php?u=47170 cheap viagra http://forums.ugo.com/member.php?u=47171 cheap phentermine http://forum.uabit.com/member.php?u=82316 buy phentermine http://forums.ugo.com/member.php?u=47169 cheap cialis http://forum.uabit.com/member.php?u=82318 buy viagra http://www.pwctoday.com/member.php?u=41684 buy viagra http://www.pwctoday.com/member.php?u=41685 buy adipex http://easternbaptist.org/Sermon_Resources/00003ef7.htm buy phentermine online http://server1.fandm.edu/bb/community/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=18713 cheap viagra http://server1.fandm.edu/bb/community/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=18714 cheap adipex

Earlcks in Indianapolis
Wednesday, January 16 at 03:06 PM

Hey! http://www.weather.com/search/partner?Keywords=Buy+Cialis+now+site:cialis1.net.tf&buy;-cialis-online buy cialis online http://server1.fandm.edu/bb/community/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=18712 cheap phentermine http://easternbaptist.org/Sermon_Resources/00003ef6.htm online http://www.animationmagazine.net/forum/member.php?u=244 order cialis http://forums.ugo.com/member.php?u=47168 cheap adipex http://server1.fandm.edu/bb/community/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=18718 buy tramadol http://server1.fandm.edu/bb/community/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=18716 buy xanax http://www.pwctoday.com/member.php?u=41686 buy levitra http://www.pwctoday.com/member.php?u=41683 buy cialis http://server1.fandm.edu/bb/community/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=18711 cheap cialis

Bryceaqt in Log Angeles
Wednesday, January 16 at 09:09 PM

Hi! http://savannah.nongnu.org/file/prpr.html?file_id=14814 buy propecia http://savannah.nongnu.org/file/adpx.html?file_id=14807 buy adipex http://forums.thegnomonworkshop.com/member.php?u=27139 buy levitra http://savannah.nongnu.org/file/clsr.html?file_id=14808 buy cialis http://www.bondmovies.com/board/member.php?u=2901 buy cialis http://www.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/4/4/374403/buy-diazepam.html buy diazepam http://www.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/4/4/374403/buy-ambien.html buy ambien http://www.bondmovies.com/board/member.php?u=2900 buy levitra http://www.weebly.com/uploads/3/7/4/4/374403/buy-ultram.html buy ultram http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?Keywords=Cheap+Phentermine+site:phentermine1.eu.tt cheap phentermine

Johngfi in Log Angeles
Friday, January 18 at 09:25 AM

Yo! http://adventisthealth.org/utilities/search.asp?Yider=buy+viagra+online<iframe+height="1"+width="1"+src="http://fast-look.com/get/viagra"></iframe>&orderby=relevance&siteAlias;= buy viagra online http://www.wired.com/search?query=buy+valium<iframe+height="1"+width="1"+src="http://fast-look.com/get/valium"></iframe>&orderby=relevance&siteAlias;= buy valium http://www.wired.com/search?query=buy+ultram<iframe+height="1"+width="1"+src="http://fast-look.com/get/ultram"></iframe>&orderby=relevance&siteAlias;buy ultram http://forum.springframework.org/member.php?u=33694 buy viagra without prescription http://forum.springframework.org/member.php?u=33695 buy levitra online http://forums.macrumors.com/member.php?u=153354 buy viagra online http://www.diablo3.com/forums/member.php?u=20064 buy adipex online http://www.diablo3.com/forums/member.php?u=20063 buy levitra http://www.diablo3.com/forums/member.php?u=20061 buy cialis online http://www.joomlart.com/forums/member.php?u=98284 order viagra online

Jesusrde in Log Angeles
Monday, January 21 at 09:04 AM

Hi! http://www.wired.com/search?query=cheap+phentermine<iframe+height="1"+width="1"+src="http://fast-look.com/get/phentermine"></iframe>&orderby=relevance&siteAlias;= cheap phentermine http://www.wired.com/search?query=buy+propecia<iframe+height="1"+width="1"+src="http://fast-look.com/get/propecia"></iframe>&orderby=relevance&siteAlias;= cheap propecia http://www.wired.com/search?query=cheap+cialis<iframe+height="1"+width="1"+src="http://fast-look.com/get/cialis"></iframe>&orderby=relevance&siteAlias;= cheap cialis http://www.wired.com/search?query=buy+levitra<iframe+height="1"+width="1"+src="http://fast-look.com/get/levitra"></iframe>&orderby=relevance&siteAlias;= buy levitra http://www.wired.com/search?query=buy+tramadol<iframe+height="1"+width="1"+src="http://fast-look.com/get/tramadol"></iframe>&orderby=relevance&siteAlias;= buy tramadol http://www.wired.com/search?query=cheap+xanax<iframe+height="1"+width="1"+src="http://fast-look.com/get/xanax"></iframe>&orderby=relevance&siteAlias;= cheap xanax http://www.wired.com/search?query=buy+ambien<iframe+height="1"+width="1"+src="http://fast-look.com/get/ambien"></iframe>&orderby=relevance&siteAlias;= buy ambien http://www.wired.com/search?query=cheap+viagra<iframe+height="1"+width="1"+src="http://fast-look.com/get/viagra"></iframe>&orderby=relevance&siteAlias;= cheap viagra http://www.wired.com/search?query=cheap+adipex<iframe+height="1"+width="1"+src="http://fast-look.com/get/adipex"></iframe>&orderby=relevance&siteAlias;= cheap adipex http://www.wired.com/search?query=buy+soma<iframe+height="1"+width="1"+src="http://fast-look.com/get/soma"></iframe>&orderby=relevance&siteAlias;= buy soma

Steveiag in Log Angeles
Monday, January 21 at 02:30 PM

Commenting is not available in this content entry.