Oxfam urges shareholders to vote in favor of its resolution—which calls on Walmart to conduct and publish human rights impact assessments (HRIAs)—at this week’s annual general meeting.
Oxfam, the global organization fighting inequality to end poverty and injustice, urges Walmart shareholders to vote in support of its resolution calling on the company to publish findings from human rights impact assessments (HRIAs). While Walmart recently committed to conduct HRIAs—only after Oxfam filed its proposal—the company’s commitment fails to guarantee the disclosure of findings to investors, undermining the efficacy and legitimacy of such assessments.
Walmart’s investors are set to convene on June 5 for the company’s annual general meeting, during which Oxfam’s shareholder resolution will come to a vote. Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, President of Repairers of the Breach, will present the resolution on Oxfam’s behalf, calling on Walmart to publish HRIAs that examine the actual and potential human rights impacts of high-risk commodities in the company’s supply chains. Doing so would allow Walmart to better respond to human rights risks in its operations—and prevent incidents before they happen.
“Walmart’s refusal to publicize the results of their human rights impact assessments speaks volumes. Their lack of transparency should concern us all,” said Irit Tamir, Director of Oxfam America’s Private Sector Department. “Research shows that Walmart workers are experiencing a myriad of negative impacts from constant workplace surveillance, substandard working conditions, and mistreatment. The company has an obligation to their shareholders and the public to demonstrate that they recognize the problem and are doing something to fix it.”
Reports of substandard working conditions throughout Walmart’s operations and global supply chains continue to garner negative media attention, highlighting the insufficiency of Walmart’s human rights due diligence policies and disclosure practices. Many reports include evidence of forced labor and child labor in Walmart’s supply chain, and the company has been the subject of accusations of insufficient sick leave policies, mistreatment of pregnant workers, insufficient wages, and excessive use of surveillance technology in their warehouses. Harmful surveillance practices in particular have been linked to increased rates of worker-reported injury, isolation, exhaustion, discrimination, and negative mental health outcomes – all of which disproportionately impact women and workers of color.
This marks the second year that Oxfam has filed a similar resolution with Walmart. The proposal signals Oxfam’s continued engagement with Walmart over their problematic business practices.
Oxfam is a global organization that fights inequality to end poverty and injustice. We offer lifesaving support in times of crisis and advocate for economic justice, gender equality, and climate action. We demand equal rights and equal treatment so that everyone can thrive, not just survive. The future is equal. Join us at oxfamamerica.org.
/ENDS
Notes to editors:
Download the full text of the resolution here.
Access Oxfam’s proxy memo here.
Full citation for reports on forced labor and child labor in Walmart’s supply chains – as well as accusations of insufficient sick leave policies, mistreatment of pregnant workers, and insufficient wages – can be found in Oxfam’s proxy memo.