The National Labor Committee is calling on supporters to sign a letter to Walmart CEO Mike Duke asking for him to support factory workers in Bangladesh in their quest for a 43 cent per hour minimum wage.
According to the testimonial of one Bengali garment worker, the lives of workers are being ruined by below-poverty level wages of 11 1/2 cents an hour. With a raise in the minimum wage, she says
If the minimum wage is raised to 6,200 taka ($89.21) [per month] my wage would be higher, including overtime, and as a result we could eat fish once or twice a week and meat once a week.
Click here to see picture of how these garment workers live.
Many of the clothing items sold at Walmart are produced in Bangladesh. While Walmart certainly isn't the only company that does business there (I'm wearing a shirt that was made there right now), they are one of the largest garment importers from the country. Walmart's support for these workers could make a profound impact upon their lives.
Posted by Will - June 18, 2010 4:39 PM
I hate Walmart!
Posted by Danielle Raak - July 30, 2010 5:19 PM