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President Obama will stand side by side with a company known for low wages, few benefits, unreliable hours, discrimination against women, violating workers’ rights, and yes, environmental degradation,” said Joe Hansen, international president of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union.

Mr. Hansen also knocked the retailer’s efforts to curb its carbon emissions.

The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, also took issue with the visit and urged the president to take the opportunity to push another priority: income inequality.

“As the country’s largest employer, there is no escaping the fact that Walmart’s poverty level wages have contributed significantly to the decline of the middle class in America,” said Maria Elena Durazo, the group’s leader. The company employs some 1.3 million workers.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. spokesman Kory Lundberg said the retailer offers wages that are “extremely competitive in the retail industry.”

In the U.S., part-time hourly employees average $11.83 an hour and full-time hourly employees average $12.81 an hour. The company also offers benefits and opportunities for advancement, he said.

“I would put that up against any other retailer whether unionized or not,” he added.

Mr. Obama has championed measures such as raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour and expanding the pool of workers eligible for overtime in an effort to boost incomes. He’s also praised Walmart rival CostcoCOST +2.46% for offering workers good wages and benefits.