Hernández, J. C., (2016, November 17). Across China, Walmart faces labor unrest as
authorities stand aside. The New York Times. Retrieved from
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/17/world/asia/across-china-walmart-faces-labor-
unrest-as-authorities-stand-aside.html
In 2017, workers at many Chinese Walmarts protested the international corporation for back pay and other grievances. Walmart used to pay higher wages than Chinese companies, but as costs for Walmart in China, employee pay has not. While other labor protests have been readily squashed by the Chinese authorities, the protests in opposition to Walmart have continued as workers seek assistance from the government against what they see as foreign imperialism. The government walked a fine line between supporting the average worker as their Communist foundation requires and preventing a nationwide labor strike that could put the government in a difficult position. Protestors used WeChat to communicate around formal channels, self-organizing against the foreign business. All companies in China are required to have labor unions, but most often they are controlled by the company and used to quickly address any labor disputes; anything outside of this model the government usually suppresses. In the case of Walmart employee protests, the government is standoffish; it does not want to be seen approving of labor movements, nor does it want to appear to support what is often viewed as a foreign imperialist company.
This article highlighted the impact multinational corporations can have in places other than their nation of origin, and the challenging interconnectedness that can arise with national governments. I work with non-profits in the Global South, some that advocate for workers’ rights, and this article helped me to better understand some of the challenging politics they navigate.
LO2: demonstrate the ability to assess complex organizational environments and achieve communication goals.
LO5: critically analyze messages.
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