Labor Deal With Wal-Mart Criticized

Inspector General Cites 'Breakdowns'

By Amy Joyce
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, November 1, 2005; D03

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. received "significant concessions" from the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division when the department and Wal-Mart signed a settlement agreement last year after the company was cited for child labor violations, according to a Department of Labor inspector general report released yesterday.

While the agreement did not violate laws, the inspector general's office found "serious breakdowns" in the department's "negotiating, developing and approving" such agreements.