Anyone who has seen the documentary, Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price
, knows that this company is a social parasite and the horrible things it has done to communities and working people the world over.
In an effort to counter act the negative image that Wal-Mart has suffered in recent years, the company launched a new ad campaign with the slogan “Life is pricey. Wal-Mart isn’t.” These advertisements show likable characters, in comical situations searching for the perfect Christmas gift. Unfortunately this warm and fuzzy image of the holiday spirit only exists in the ad campaign and the conditions under which the workers in China produce goods for Wal-Mart are dehumanizing.
Recently, a group of Chinese labourors managed to sneak out video footage and images of young children working upwards of 15 hour days to produce the Christmas ornaments sold at Wal-Mart stores. These children are being paid only $0.26/hour which is significantly lower than the legal minimum wage (0.55/hour) for their efforts and MUST sign a so-called voluntary agreement to work 7 days a week. Workers daring to take Sunday off are docked 2 ½ day’s wages as punishment. And if you thought it couldn’t get worse, it does, most of these workers are routinely cheated out of 25% of their already sub par earnings.
Something to think about when choosing where to spend your money.
Reference:
1) A Wal-Mart Christmas – Brought to You by a Sweatshop in China (I apologize that this links to a slow loading site.)
2) No-one Makes You Shop at Wal-Mart
, knows that this company is a social parasite and the horrible things it has done to communities and working people the world over.In an effort to counter act the negative image that Wal-Mart has suffered in recent years, the company launched a new ad campaign with the slogan “Life is pricey. Wal-Mart isn’t.” These advertisements show likable characters, in comical situations searching for the perfect Christmas gift. Unfortunately this warm and fuzzy image of the holiday spirit only exists in the ad campaign and the conditions under which the workers in China produce goods for Wal-Mart are dehumanizing.
Recently, a group of Chinese labourors managed to sneak out video footage and images of young children working upwards of 15 hour days to produce the Christmas ornaments sold at Wal-Mart stores. These children are being paid only $0.26/hour which is significantly lower than the legal minimum wage (0.55/hour) for their efforts and MUST sign a so-called voluntary agreement to work 7 days a week. Workers daring to take Sunday off are docked 2 ½ day’s wages as punishment. And if you thought it couldn’t get worse, it does, most of these workers are routinely cheated out of 25% of their already sub par earnings.
Something to think about when choosing where to spend your money.
Reference:
1) A Wal-Mart Christmas – Brought to You by a Sweatshop in China (I apologize that this links to a slow loading site.)
2) No-one Makes You Shop at Wal-Mart
