Wal-Mart is among five companies spotlighted for their opposition to workers joining or forming trade unions around the world.

On the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Labor Rights Forum has released “Working for Scrooge - 5 worst companies for the right to associate”.

The five are:

* Wal-Mart - for violating worker rights in the USA, Canada and elsewhere.

* Nestle - for violations in the Philippines, Colombia, Peru, Russia and Pakistan.

* Del Monte - for violations in Guatemala and the Philippines.

* Dole - for violations in the Philippines, Costa Rica and Colombia.

* Russell (owned by Fruit of the Loom) - for violations in Honduras and Uzbekistan.

Despite labour rights protections in the Human Rights declaration, United Nations and International Labour Organisation declarations and national labour laws, workers continue to see their rights trampled on a daily basis.

In its recently released survey of violations of trade union rights, the International Trade Union Confederation reports at least 91 unionists were killed globally as a result of their organising efforts in 2007.

The list of “Scrooge” companies is part of the International Labor Rights Forum’s “End Violence Against Trade Unions” campaign. The list - along with company profiles - can be viewed online at: http://www.laborrights.org/end-violence-against-trade-unions/resources/1871

“As we commemorate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, consumers and labour rights advocates globally can support the human rights of workers by letting these companies know that they need to respect the right to organise,” said Bama Athreya, Executive Director of the International Labor Rights Forum.

The International Labor Rights Forum is a non-profit organisation dedicated to achieving just and humane treatment for workers globally. More information can be found online at http://www.LaborRights.org.