By: Mer
You may have heard it before, many times—don’t shop at Wal-Mart. But why? There are numerous reasons why Wal-Mart should no longer be in business…or at least why we as consumers shouldn’t shop there. Wal-Mart is a very socially unjust corporation, as it treats its product suppliers horribly, including miserable working conditions for extremely low pay. Many consumers may be drawn to Wal-Mart because of their “roll back” prices, but in reality, they are able to produce such cheap products because the factory workers are poorly compensated. Here I mean only the actual behind-the-scenes laborers who are making the Wal-Mart products (such as clothes, jewelry, furniture) sold, although the treatment of their employees isn’t much better. The employees of Wal-Mart make very little money per hour, as well as low overall wages and benefits.
Not only are the employees as a whole being treated poorly, but it is stated in Ms. Magazine’s article “Class Act—Wal-Mart”, that the women employees of Wal-Mart have it worst of all. Wal-Mart is known for paying their women employees less than their male employees for the same job description! Also, women employees of Wal-Mart are geared toward departments with lower wages than the men. What is Wal-Mart’s excuse for paying their male employees a higher income? They claim that male employees need to earn higher wages because they have “families to support”.
We need to be realistic and look at the times. Due to the low economy, families are requiring more income in order to merely survive. This means that not only is “Dad” going to work, but “Mom” has joined him. Such women essentially have two jobs, because they actually do most of the housework during their after work hours. To pay them less than men who are doing the same job is unethical, immoral, and impractical.
Wal-Mart uses inhumane practices, so DO NOT SHOP THERE! If you’re looking for good prices, stores such as Target (which are generally within 5 miles of every Wal-Mart), have equally low prices, and even offer their own brand coupons.
W T F ! 
minarinko
November 11, 2011
Thank you for sharing this information. I know couple of people who works at wall mart but they told me that they cannot even pay for their rent. because pay is very little. I don’t think it is right way to do business without considering about employees. Wall mart is huge company and I believe that they have enough money to run business and pay employees. We all need to take a consider it into social issue.
Larosa
November 10, 2011
This information is an eye-open for anyone who want social justice to be effective in our society, and why not all over the world. True, we shop at Walmart because of its low prices, but we need to stop if we want change. Those women working in there deserve to be treated fairly. Target is a good alternative to shop on. If we all agree to stop shopping there untill our voice be heard, i am sure it will make a difference.
seybe001
November 10, 2011
Ousontlesneiges,
Thank you so much for the link to resources on places to shop that promote equality,this will be very useful!
ILoveTarget
November 9, 2011
I had no idea walmart was so messed up, but i friggin love target
ousontlesneigesdantan
November 9, 2011
I totally agree that we shouldn’t shop at walmart, they treat their employees horribly!!!
But Target, however better in most aspects, still treats their LGBTQI employees unfairly. They were on HRC’s (Human Rights Campaign) black list at a don’t buy. They have made some improvements, but they have a long way to go. Which goes to show how difficult it is to buy from a company that supports social justice.
Bellow is a good place to start when looking for somewhere to shop that promotes workplace equality.
http://www.hrc.org/apps/buyersguide/
Merissa
November 15, 2011
Thank you for the buyers guide. Was kind of shocked at who was and was not on the list. Its a great resource I will plan my shopping around, thanks!
thestudent
November 16, 2011
Great! Thank you for the link! It’s sad to know that there are so many companies out there that promote inequality 😦 but we all can make a change by supporting those companies that promote justice for all!!
chaldeasevilla
November 9, 2011
Thank you for sharing this information. I usually choose Wal*Mart because of its low prices but I was unaware of their mistreatment of women.