Wal-Mart has also joined SEIU, the country's largest union that aims to provide affordable healthcare for Americans by 2012
In a letter to Obama, Wal-Mart stated, “Not every business can make the same contribution, but everyone must make some contribution.”
“An essential goal of health-care reform is to insure as many of the uninsured as possible and to bring the cost of health care down,” said David Tovar, a Wal-Mart spokesman. “We think a broad-based employer mandate is essential to both those goals.”
Wal-Mart’s healthcare benefits
The retail giant has provided health insurance to about 52 percent of its 1.4 million U.S. employees, a leap from 46.2 percent three years ago. Further, the company has also cut the waiting time for earning benefits for both its full and part-time workers.
Wal- Mart has joined SEIU, the country's largest union, which aims to provide affordable healthcare for Americans by 2012.
Opposition from corporations
Many companies have opposed the mandate for providing health cost to its employees.
Rejecting the idea, the U.S. Chambers of Commerce argued that the move could result in reduction in wages and loss of jobs.
The National Retail Federation said it was "flabbergasted" by Wal-Mart's idea of supporting the legislation.
Neil Trautwein, vice president of a trade group in Washington, said, “We have been one of the foremost opponents to employer mandate."
"We are surprised and disappointed by Wal-Mart's choice to embrace an employer mandate in exchange for a promise of cost savings."
Post new comment