the high cost of low prices
The High Cost of Low Prices
Summary
The activist Robert Greenwald produced a documentary named Wal-Mart: High Cost of Low Prices to enlighten Americans of the effects this major company has on society. In this documentary, Greenwald interviews former employees from different ranks. Greenwald also uses crime rate statistics to demonstrate the lack of surveillance in the parking lot of the store. The producer also interviews the Chinese factory workers who are exploited in China. He also points out facts of the lack of healthcare and this company’s effects on society. The main purpose of this documentary was to show Americans why they get low prices at Wal-Mart. These low prices are available to people after many others have suffered in return, starting with Chinese workers and ending with the US employees. This documentary shows how employees are treated at Wal-Mart. Many of the Wal-Mart employees were not allowed to work overtime and their managers would change their payroll. Wal-Mart employees were also encouraged to work off the clock or they would face termination. Most of their employees don’t have health care benefits and are encouraged to go on welfare. Wal-Mart also encourages its employees to “use taxpayer’s dollars” by going on food stamps, WIC, and Medicare. Nearly 1 out of every 2 children of Wal-Mart workers are either uninsured or on public health care. Many of Wal-Mart’s commercials have a family orientated foundation, but their actions are contradicted with the facts. The documentary also shows footage of illegal immigrants cleaning the store for half of the minimum wage. These illegal workers were locked inside the store until the next morning. Wal-Mart also discriminates against women by neglecting their promotions because of their sex. Like women, other minorities have also suffered the same discrimination. The documentary also demonstrates how as Wal-Mart moves into towns and cities, small businesses move out. The documentary shows
Summary
The activist Robert Greenwald produced a documentary named Wal-Mart: High Cost of Low Prices to enlighten Americans of the effects this major company has on society. In this documentary, Greenwald interviews former employees from different ranks. Greenwald also uses crime rate statistics to demonstrate the lack of surveillance in the parking lot of the store. The producer also interviews the Chinese factory workers who are exploited in China. He also points out facts of the lack of healthcare and this company’s effects on society. The main purpose of this documentary was to show Americans why they get low prices at Wal-Mart. These low prices are available to people after many others have suffered in return, starting with Chinese workers and ending with the US employees. This documentary shows how employees are treated at Wal-Mart. Many of the Wal-Mart employees were not allowed to work overtime and their managers would change their payroll. Wal-Mart employees were also encouraged to work off the clock or they would face termination. Most of their employees don’t have health care benefits and are encouraged to go on welfare. Wal-Mart also encourages its employees to “use taxpayer’s dollars” by going on food stamps, WIC, and Medicare. Nearly 1 out of every 2 children of Wal-Mart workers are either uninsured or on public health care. Many of Wal-Mart’s commercials have a family orientated foundation, but their actions are contradicted with the facts. The documentary also shows footage of illegal immigrants cleaning the store for half of the minimum wage. These illegal workers were locked inside the store until the next morning. Wal-Mart also discriminates against women by neglecting their promotions because of their sex. Like women, other minorities have also suffered the same discrimination. The documentary also demonstrates how as Wal-Mart moves into towns and cities, small businesses move out. The documentary shows