Wal-Mart China sourcing condemned by labor rights group

Wal-Mart’s demand for rock-bottom prices from suppliers in China means some of these companies are forcing their employees to work in sweatshop-like conditions, Reuters reported, citing a report by China Labour Watch. The report said Wal-Mart, which also operates over 250 stores in China, is failing to pick up on such abuses when it carries out audits of certain suppliers, again calling into doubt pledges to source ethically. "As the world’s largest retailer, Wal-Mart leverages its massive product orders to purchase goods at low prices, and workers suffer the financial burden," the New York-based rights group said. Wal-Mart last year said it would enforce stricter quality and environmental standards at its Chinese suppliers. China Labour Watch found that pay was withheld to workers who did not meet production targets in some factories run by Wal-Mart suppliers.