Tell Wal-Mart: Zero Tolerance on Child Labor
Wal-Mart has repeatedly violated U.S. child labor laws and profited from overseas child labor abuses.
A recent investigation revealed children, some only 11 years old, were making Wal-Mart clothes in a Bangladesh factory. The children report
being routinely slapped and beaten, forced to work 12 to 14 hours a day, often seven days a week, for wages as low as 6 and a half cents an hour.
In the United States, Wal-Mart's own internal audit found 1,371 instances in which minors worked too late at night, during school hours, or too many hours in a day. It also found 60,767 instances of workers missing breaks and 15,705 instances where employees were forced to work and miss meal times.
Despite all of this, Wal-Mart refuses to adopt a zero tolerance policy on child labor! Our children deserve better from Wal-Mart. This holiday season, tell Wal-Mart to adopt a zero tolerance policy on child labor.
Dear Lee Scott,
I am deeply disturbed to find out that Wal-Mart has repeatedly violated U.S. child labor laws and profited from overseas child labor abuses.
[your comment here]
The following facts are unacceptable:
- In the United States, Wal-Mart's own internal audit found "extensive violations" of child-labor laws and state regulations.
- The audit of one week’s time clock records found 1,371 instances in which minors worked too late at night, during school hours, or too many hours in a day. It also found 60,767 instances of workers missing breaks and 15,705 instances where employees were forced to work and miss meal times.
- A recent investigation revealed children, some only 11 years old, were making Wal-Mart clothes in a Bangladesh factory. The children report being routinely slapped and beaten, forced to work 12 to 14 hours a day, often seven days a week, for wages as low as 6 and a half cents an hour.
How can Wal-Mart do this to children? As a Wal-Mart shopper, I demand that you adopt a zero tolerance policy on child labor.
Sincerely,
[your name]
[your address]
