Human rights groups urge holiday shoppers to steer clear of Wal-Mart.

By Benjamin Youngquest

NEW YORK — Many New York area holiday shoppers may be headed to Wal-Mart this holiday season in search of affordable gifts for their friends and relatives. And why not? Wal-Mart has an enormous selection at prices that just cannot be found elsewhere. But have bargain seekers asked themselves how this is accomplished? Just how does Wal-Mart keep their prices so much lower than their competitors?

As we've reported extensively here, countries such as China use unfair and often inhumane labor practices in order to gain competitive advantage in world trade. Now state and local governments all across this country are taking action to protect American workers from similar conditions. A movement called SweatFree Communities is promoting new legislation, and that movement is gaining momentum. Lisa Sylvester reports.

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