Walmart’s decision to suspend its chief financial officer and members of its legal team in India shows the depth of the growing crisis around Walmart. The Indian Government must carry out its own thorough investigation into the retailer’s activities before going any further with the implementation of foreign direct investment, UNI Global Union said.

News of the suspensions at Walmart in India comes on the day that thousands of US Walmart workers were striking on ‘Black Friday’, an action led by workers under the banner ‘Our Walmart’ against the company’s attacks on labour rights. Walmart itself is investigating its own practices in a number of countries, including Brazil, China and Mexico.

UNI Global Union is a federation that represents over 900 unions globally. Philip Jennings, UNI Global Union General-Secretary, said, “It is indeed a black Friday for Walmart everywhere. UNI has made it clear to India’s Government that if Walmart is to be allowed in under FDI, then there should be proper conditions applied that are independently monitored. Reports that the top management have been suspended at Walmart in India amid its own bribery investigation, is an indication of how rotten this apple may be.”

He said, “India must think again about its position on FDI, especially related to Walmart, if it is to avoid the scenario we are seeing in the US today with non-union workers risking their jobs by striking in the face of the company’s cynical anti-worker policy of low pay, precarious work, short hours and intimidation. Strong unions are the only way for workers to be protected, whether in the US, Latin America, South Africa, India or beyond, against this kind of irresponsible management.”

Walmart operates wholesale stores in India with local partner Bharti but plans to open retail stores across the country.

>bindu.menon@thehindu.co.in

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