Wal-Mart to help unionize all Chinese outlets
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-08-10 16:00 BEIJING -- Wal-Mart chiefs have promised to help
China's top trade union authority establish unions in all of its outlets across
the country.
Wal-Mart executives made the commitment during visits to branches of the
All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) in Shenzhen and Nanjing, where a
total of five Wal-Mart unions have been formed.
A statement released by Wal-Mart on Wednesday said the company would
cooperate closely with the ACFTU in setting up trade unions in all its 60
Wal-Mart outlets in China.
Joe Hatfield, president of Wal-Mart Asia, said "I hope to establish with the
ACFTU and local branches a good relationship that would be conducive for our
employees and business development."
"We think it is in line with Chinese government's efforts to build a
harmonious society," Hatfield added.
The commitment of the world's top retail giant came as six trade unions have
been established at its Chinese outlets in the past two weeks since July 29:
four in Shenzhen and one each in the eastern city of Nanjing and the
southeastern city of Quanzhou.
The sixth trade union was set up at 10:30 on Wednesday morning at its
Zhongshan store in Shenzhen where Wal-Mart locates its China headquarters.
So far, four out of the thirteen Wal-Mart outlets in Shenzhen have
established their own trade unions.
|
