Wal-Mart Caught Using Child Labour

In early December, CBC television exposed Wal-Mart for using child labour at two factories in Bangladesh. According to the CBC report, children 10 to 14 years old were discovered working in the factories for less than $50 a month, making 'Simply Basic' and other Wal-Mart-brand products for export to Canada.

A Wal-Mart spokesperson interviewed on the program claimed that the factories were sub-contract facilities and declared that his company was cutting off all future orders to the suppliers. According to the Maquila Solidarity Network, a labour and women's rights advocacy organization promoting solidarity with grassroots groups in Mexico, Central America, and Asia - cutting and running is the worst possible response to reports of child labour or other sweatshop abuses. That only discourages workers from telling the truth to factory auditors for fear of losing their jobs and encourages suppliers to hide abuses or subcontract work to other factories that will escape inspection.

Nor can Wal-Mart be allowed to place all the blame for the use of child labour on its Bangladeshi suppliers. The everyday low prices Wal-Mart pays to suppliers encourage the use of cheap labour, including child labour. Instead of cutting and running from its responsibilities, Wal-Mart should work with its suppliers to eliminate future use of child labour and provide sufficient compensation to the current child labourers and their families to allow the children to receive a decent education.

The Maquila Solidarity Network is encouraging people to write Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott to urge him to take responsibility for the children who were found making his company's products at poverty wages. Demand that Wal-Mart abandon its 'cut-and-run' policy and work with suppliers to achieve and maintain compliance with international labour standards and local laws.

The email address for Scott is hlscott@wal-mart.com, or for those who prefer to use the postal service, write to Lee Scott, CEO Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 702 Southwest 8th Street, Bentonville, AR 72716, USA. Maquila would appreciate receiving a copy of what you send at info@maquilasolidarity.org.