Argentine lawmakers are starting to scrutinize anti-union practices at retail giant Wal-Mart. Over the weekend, workers and human rights activists protested outside a Wal-Mart store in Buenos Aires to call attention to working conditions in the retail chain. Marie Trigona was there:
In addition to reports of anti-union practices, Wal-Mart has come under public eye for hiring a former military officer connected with the 1976-1983 military dictatorship as Head of the retailer?s security. Alfredo Oscar Saint Jean served during the nation?s bloody military junta in cities where clandestine detention centers operated.
More from Marie Trigona
From sweat shop to co-op
(00:05:44)
From: Marie Trigona
Thousands of Bolivians migrated to Argentina in search of a liveable wage, only to find themselves sewing designer jeans in sweat shops under slave-like conditions. Marie ...
Plan Condor in Latin America
(00:04:04)
From: Marie Trigona
Overview of Plan Condor in Latin America
Women in Argentina demand gender equality
(00:21:06)
From: Marie Trigona
Women in Argentina demand gender equality
Court Sentences Argentine Priest to Life in Prison for Genocide
(00:03:47)
From: Marie Trigona
Court Sentences Argentinean Priest to Life in Prison for Genocide(3:24)
Human Rights in Argentina: Missing witness Julio Lopez
(00:04:31)
From: Marie Trigona
Human Rights in Argentina: Witness still missing
Clergyman to Stand Trial for ?Dirty War? Crimes in Argentina
(00:04:41)
From: Marie Trigona
Last Thursday, for the first time ever, a clergyman of the Catholic Church faced charges in connection with repression carried out under Argentina?s so-called ?Dirty War.?
Argentina Jumps on the Biofuels Bandwagon
(00:04:51)
From: Marie Trigona
Buenos Aires Hosts Biofuels Conference
Argentina's Mothers of Plaza de Mayo Commemorate 30th Anniversary
(00:06:04)
From: Marie Trigona
Argentina?s Mothers of Plaza de Mayo Commemorate 30th Anniversary
Teacher's death sparks protest in Argentina
(00:01:41)
From: Marie Trigona
Teachers led massive marches throughout Argentina today to demand justice for Carlos Fuentealba, a 42-year-old public educator who died last week after a policeman shot him ...
Argentina Marks 31st Anniversary of Military Coup
(00:04:39)
From: Marie Trigona
Argentina marks the 31st anniversary of the nation's 1976 military coup on Saturday March 24, with a series of marches to commemorate 30,000 people disappeared during the ...
Related Pieces
Piece Description
Argentine lawmakers are starting to scrutinize anti-union practices at retail giant Wal-Mart. Over the weekend, workers and human rights activists protested outside a Wal-Mart store in Buenos Aires to call attention to working conditions in the retail chain. Marie Trigona was there: In addition to reports of anti-union practices, Wal-Mart has come under public eye for hiring a former military officer connected with the 1976-1983 military dictatorship as Head of the retailer?s security. Alfredo Oscar Saint Jean served during the nation?s bloody military junta in cities where clandestine detention centers operated.
Broadcast History
FSRN broadcast September 24, 2007
Transcript
Lede: Wal-mart has come under the eye of Argentine law-makers for anti-union practices in the corporation?s stores throughout the South American nation. Over the weekend, workers and human rights activists protested outside a Wal-Mart store to call attention to the retail chain?s working conditions in Argentina. FSRN?s Marie Trigona reports from Buenos Aires.
((( 00:00 ))) [Marie I w/audio of the theatre performance] During a theater performance actors mock the humiliation that Wal-Mart workers must endure. In this particular scene, a performer explains what a ?mystery shopper ? is? a supervisor disguised as a customer, to spy on Wal-Mart 4employees. ((( 00:15 )))
Earlier this year, Argentina?s national congress led an investigation into Wal-mart?s labor practices in the corporation?s 15 retail chains throughout the South American nation. Following reports of the firing of union...
Read the full transcript
