U.S. group says factory Wal-Mart uses abuses workers

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A U.S. watchdog group has called on Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to put a stop to what it says is worker abuse at a factory in the Philippines that makes apparel for the retailer.

The Worker Rights Consortium said the Chong Won factory, which primarily makes clothing for Wal-Mart supplier One Step Up, has engaged in labor rights violations including forced overtime and minimum wage violations. The WRC has 167 U.S. college and university affiliates.

It also accused the factory's management of colluding with government agents in violence against striking workers.

The group said it was basing its charges on an on-site investigation from October 28 to November 2, and said it notified Wal-Mart in November.

"Wal-Mart has the power to compel Chong Won to halt the violent assaults on lawfully striking workers, offer reinstatement to those workers who have been unlawfully dismissed, and recognize the union and begin bargaining," the WRC said in a report.

Wal-Mart did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

The WRC said Chong Won has produced casual apparel for a number of brands and retailers, including university licensees. But it said that since mid-2006, all of Chong Won's production has been for Wal-Mart.