Watched "Walmart, The Cost of Low Prices"

[Jim]

Part of it is this...You can get insurance through Walmart but...you have to pay the whole share. People that work at Walmart can't afford to have medical insurance, live in public housing and work overtime without pay. 31 states have sued and won for them not paying overtime. During hurricane Katrina, Walmart donated $5,006,000.00 $5 million was donated by the employees, $6000 was donated by the Waltons who are all consistently in the top 10 richest people in the US. The Walton family donates .001% of their yearly income. Conversely, Bill Gates donates 53% of his yearly income to charities.

Then you go to China where almost everything at Walmart is made. They are paid $3/day and are expected to work 18 hours/day. They don't have to live in the Walmart dorm but if they chose not to, they still have to pay the rent. If they are being punished for not working hard enough, they must work a month without pay.

There have been several Walmart stores that have voted for a union. Those stores were promptly closed down. Not to mention that when a Walmart comes into a town, mom and pop stores last about a year.

If the Waltons gave up 10% of their income, every Walmart employee could not only get free health insurance but also get a livable wage.

The Waltons are the Getty's of this century. If George W didn't call the CEO the same pet name his wife called him, they would have been broken up already.

It just goes on and on and on...
Watch the movie and you will never shop there again. A lot of hidden cameras and nothing like a Moore documentary. All facts that can easily be proven.

Oh yeah...one more thing called a peasant policy. While new employees sign all the papers to work there, they sign a peasant policy. This is a life insurance policy that goes to Walmart when the employee dies. So, after a few more years, they will be making money just from people working there and dying one day.

[emmanuelle]

Originally Posted by Jim

Oh yeah...one more thing called a peasant policy. While new employees sign all the papers to work there, they sign a peasant policy. This is a life insurance policy that goes to Walmart when the employee dies. So, after a few more years, they will be making money just from people working there and dying one day.

This was an issue brought up in one of Moore's books. Many companies do this apparently, not only Walmart.

Like most works of 'non-fiction', one should view with objectivity, as the producers likely did not. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but today's society seems to prefer the more salacious view for entertainment purposes.

btw- Walmart is China's EIGHTH largest trading partner. China will do whatever is necessary to maintain that relationship. I wonder if there is an opportunity in this to encourage them to improve their human rights record?