Thursday, January 3, 2008

No to Labor Law Violations - Careers-Employment

By : Lala C. Ballatan
All major corporations in every country all over the world are the ones which are labor-intensive. Due to the large number of employees and workers in such establishments, labor issues are rampant. The sad fact is that, it is also where most labor law violations are intensified.

These corporations are so consumed with accumulating huge productions and high profit but fail to give necessary attention to the people who strived to attain such goals. Ironically, as corporations continue to become successful and profits skyrocket, they flagrantly forget to give due credit and recognition to their employees and workers who were the main force in achieving their success.

Instead of receiving more employment benefit packages as reward for attaining high quota, employees find that their legal rights as workers, basically stipulated in state and federal labor laws are being violated. Instead of a higher income, they find themselves confronted with a scheme that pinched their salaries and long standing benefits.

In order to take steps to correct such injustices, the employees themselves need to act on it. Instead of bearing with the unfair labor practices and labor law violations they encounter, they must fight back.

An example of employee’s united stand against violation of labor laws had glowing results. In a recent ruling by a Philadelphia jury, the mega – corporation Wal-Mart was declared to have committed gross violation of state labor laws. Wal – Mart was penalized heavily for this, amounts to $78.5 million. Furthermore, after the jury ruled that the Wal-Mart company acted in “bad faith” towards the case, the plaintiff’s attorney also sought for an additional $62 million.

The class-action suit involved almost 200,000 employees and “have-been” employees of Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club. They may stand to win up to $140.5 million.

It appears that Wal-Mart has a long list of labor law violations but the issues highlighted in the lawsuit were the avoidance of paying legally required overtime and the reduction or complete disregard of employee’s right to breaks or rest.

A lady – employee who was the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit related that she was assigned to work in any department for 8 – 12 hours every month in keeping with the pressures of Wal-Mart management but was unpaid for it.

The hard-won victory of Wal-Mart employees against the violations of its management is an admirable feat. It should be an inspiration for other employees of giant corporations that are assiduously avoiding workers’ rights.

The time has come for these corporations to take a beating for violating their employees’ rights and the state and federal government as well. They must know that employees are the pillars and life support of their companies and it is high time to give respect and recognition due for them.

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