Wal-Mart: Recession vs. Discrimination

According to the New York Times, a group of West African employees in Colorado has filed discrimination charges against Wal-Mart with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Some of the employees had worked for Wal-Mart for several years, claim they had never been disciplined or given bad performance reviews until recently, and contend they were fired because management wanted to get rid of them to give their jobs to local people who were out of work.

Wal-Mart denies the charge. According to the company, it has continued to hire and even promote West Africans who have moved to Colorado looking for work. During the time in question, Wal-Mart says that it has also terminated the employment of white employees, not just West African employees.

The EEOC won’t comment on this matter, so right now, the case is in the swearing-contest stage. Perhaps one day, one side or the other will prevail.

This dispute does raise a dilemma that some employers might be facing these days, as well as a legal question that’s also involved. We’ve been hearing for well over a year about workers who’ve lost their jobs, can’t find work, and are living from day to day. Employers that would like to help the unemployed by hiring them can’t eliminate the jobs of immigrants who are legally working in this country and give them to unemployed American citizens. Discrimination and immigration laws prevent this result.

I am not saying Wal-Mart has done this. The only thing I know about this matter is what I’ve read in the newspaper. The dispute does highlight the fact that immigrants working legally in this country have basically the same rights as American citizens. The current recession has caused a number of difficult situations for employers. This may be another one.