What if Wal-mart decreased the life expenses ("living-wage") of their employees by building free (or discounted) living space for their employees, perhaps adjacent to the supercenter? That way employees don't have to spend 60% of their paycheck on rent and can save on time and gas with traveling. (Also making employment easier for workers who don't drive.) That will increase the spending power of the employee who can buy more things from Wal-mart. That alone over time could make up the difference in cost for building the living space. It would also solve many of Wal-mart's PR problems with low wages.
This is an alternative idea inspired from the discussion from this idea: Wal-Mart Minimum Wages
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I seem to remember reading that years ago the mining & lumber industries did something similar to what you are proposing. Each time I read your idea through I hear a tune playing in the background with the refrain, "tell St. Peter that I can't go 'cause I owe my soul to the company store. . ."
They already do that in China, and they charge the factory employees for rent and utilities. Even if the employees opt of of living there, they still have the rent deducted from their paycheck, minus the utilities. See the documentary: Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price".
This is "tongue-in-cheek" right?
Or Walmart could just quit being so cheap and pay the employees what they deserve. Nobody can honestly live off of the crap salary that they provide.
"Common lets live in walmart". It sounds like a good idea, but the problem is that people might want to have a private life, and do not want the company they are working for, intruding it as well.
I like the idea! This would also offset costs related to employee tax burdens. They could be paid less per hour and save on taxes.
The problem in yesteryear where there were company stores, is that all employees were "Required" to ONLY buy from the company store. Employees that purchased anything elsewhere were punished severely, and sometimes murdered.
Having a complex of 2 bedroom cement block housing units would provide a needed niche in our society. There aren't many places that will hire the poor elderly working population.
Heck, I just want to know when Walmart plans to start selling gasoline at a reduced price. Ha!
lets be real.The only people at wal-mart that get any of the "GOOD" benifits are the people at the home office .Go figure...the one's who make the big bucks are the ones who get all the discounts,perks,etc..
Like the old miner song...
"Saint Peter dont cha call me cause I cant go....I owe my sould to the company store..."
This would create more slaves then credit cards!!!!