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The UNI Global Union Management Committee meeting at UNI head office in Nyon, delivered a statement calling on Walmart to show that it is willing to change from its well documented anti-union, anti-worker stance by signing up to a global framework agreement.



Joe De Bruyn, President of UNI Global Union, said, “Revelations of alleged fraud in Mexico recently have added to the pressure on Walmart to change its ways and become a responsible global employer. Walmart risks becoming totally discredited which has resulted in its stock prices taking a hit. If Walmart wants to do right by its workers and the new markets it is entering, such as South Africa and India, then an important step would be to sign a global framework agreement. We urge Walmart to take this opportunity for positive change.”



UNI Global Union General Secretary, Philip Jennings added, “Walmart’s labour practices are under more scrutiny than ever. The allegations of fraud in Mexico have opened up a whole can of worms and Walmart’s top management cannot squirm out of their responsibilities any longer. UNI is prepared to engage in talks with Walmart because its workers deserve better. We will continue to shine a light into the dark places Walmart would prefer us not to go.”



Walmart workers in many countries have voiced concerns about their employment conditions. Low wages make it difficult for them to support their families. Inadequate benefits, such as health and accident insurance, leave workers and their families vulnerable. The imposition of part-time work, casual employment contracts or – as in the case of Walmart’s 1.4 million U.S. workers – no contracts at all, means workers have no employment security.



Workers who assert their freedom of association in an attempt to resolve issues or improve working conditions frequently face retribution from the company.



The UNI Global Union Management Committee statement calls on Walmart to commit to signing a Global Agreement with UNI Global Union to ensure that Walmart employees all over the globe have a fair opportunity to fully exercise their rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining. A Global Agreement will recognise the fundamental labour rights set out in the ILO Core Conventions, establish a mechanism through which UNI and Walmart can resolve disputes, and allow Walmart to join the ranks of responsible employers in the retail sector who have taken this step to ensure standards and employee rights wherever they operate.