Walmart Reviews Prison Labor Policy After Civil Unrest Over Race
- CEO has vowed to give 340,000 Black employees more opportunity
- About 6,000 prisoners work for private industry in the U.S.
Photographer: Scott Olson/Getty Images
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Walmart Inc. is reviewing its policy on working with suppliers that use prison labor as civil unrest over systemic racism roils the U.S. and activists target companies that benefit from the practice.
“As permitted by law, a small number of our U.S. suppliers use voluntary labor as part of prison rehabilitation programs,” Walmart said in an emailed statement provided by spokesperson Tricia Moriarty. The company’s policies “strictly prohibit involuntary prison labor” and workers that are employed by Walmart suppliers are paid “prevailing wages,” the retailer said.