News

UNI Global Union is joining 1000 national, regional and state level stakeholders meeting today to voice their opposition to foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail. The “National Convention against FDI” at the Constitution Club, New Delhi brings together farmers, workers, independent retailers, street vendors, transporters and consumers united in their opposition to FDI. National leaders of central trade unions and political parties are also joining the convention. UNI is taking part to draw attention to the threat represented by the US giant, Walmart.

• New whistleblower website launches to expose alleged abuses at Walmart
• UNI Global Union draws attention to Walmart’s deplorable track record in workers’ rights at FDI national protest meeting in New Delhi
• UNI presents its report Walmart’s Global Track Record and the Implication for FDI in Multi-Brand Retail in India

Walmart has itself identified it is at risk of allegations of corruption in India. Late last year the company announced it was launching an internal investigation into possible violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) in India as well as a number of other countries. The FCPA is an anti-bribery law in the U.S. that prohibits U.S companies from paying bribes to foreign officials. The government of India also launched its own probe after the company disclosed it had spent $25 million on lobbying activities, including allegedly on issues related to “enhanced market access for investment in India.”

Walmart’s own investigations have already incurred costs of $157 million which are expected to rise this year. The company also faces ongoing problems in Mexico after a New York Times investigation revealed allegations the company had paid bribes to obtain permits across the whole of Mexico amounting to more than $24 million. A year on from the New York Times revelations Walmart has still not taken positive action in Mexico to bring those responsible to justice.

Milind Nadkarni, Head of the UNI India Liaison Council who is speaking at the meeting today said, “UNI has experience of Walmart’s anti-worker and anti-union stance all over the world from the US, through Latin America, South Africa and China. India must make sure that proper safeguards and enforceable conditions are in place if Walmart is to come into the country. The consequences will be very serious in terms of the negative effects on the labour market if proper precautions are not taken. Look at how badly Walmart treats its workers in its home market in the US. India’s shopkeepers and supply chain are next in line for Walmartisation: profit at any cost and workers treated as disposable commodities. UNI urges anyone with evidence of wrong-doing by Walmart to make it public. Walmart must change its behaviour.”

Corporate Action Network, which supports campaigns working to expose, end and prosecute corporate abuse, has launched a website to collect information about practices and activity within Walmart in India which may be in violation of the FCPA.

The site http://walmart-corruption.com/ outlines the provisions of the FCA and enables people to submit information about corrupt and illegal activity they have knowledge of or may have witnessed.

Editors:

Richard Elliott, UNI Global Union Communications Director Richard.elliott@uniglobalunion.org +41 79 794 9709