Walmart China has labour troubles, Government will not back company against workers. Pity.
Ironic, it is, that Walmart China is having a labour dispute. Workers complain of not getting paid, and a new scheduling system that hurts workers. Across China, Walmart Faces Labor Unrest as Authorities Stand Aside
All large companies in China have a union, but it is not a group that represents workers against the company’s management. Unlike in North America, and more closely following the Japanese labour union model, China’s labour unions are Communist Party members, usually under the control of management. It is ironic that Walmart’s labour union, aligned with Walmart management, are also Communist Party members, there to suppress labour unrest for the good of their foreign overlords. All this in modern day China.
It is no wonder that disgruntled Chinese workers would bypass their union and organize China-wide using social media, sharing slogans and tactics. What is also not surprising is that China’s government, usually very pro business and will quickly quash any labour unrest, is largely silent on the matter. Help management quash labour unrest and be labeled anti-worker, would look very badly on China as a whole.
So the government has sat on its hands and let Walmart management figure it out. At least China is not participating in spilling Chinese blood on behalf of Walmart. What will Walmart do now?
