Last week, fifteen employees in six countries filed a class-action lawsuit in Los Angeles against Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., claiming that the retailer disregards sweatshop conditions at its suppliers' toy and clothing factories in Bangladesh, Swaziland, Indonesia, China and Nicaragua. The plaintiffs allege that they were paid below minimum wage, forced to work unpaid overtime and beaten by their bosses.
One of the interesting twists is an unfair competition element in the lawsuit in which four California workers, including union employees of Ralph's and Safeway grocery stores who assert that Wal-Mart's entry into Southern California while using sweatshop labor and products forced their employers to reduce pay and benefits to remain competitive.Suddenly, California wage and hour law is big news in places like Calcutta, the U.K., and, of course, Bentonville, Arkansas.
The plaintiffs are represented by noted employee rights lawyer Dan Stormer. For further details, you can read the plaintiffs' press release or download a copy of the complaint.
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