The Cost of Walmart

A new report tallies the cost to public coffers incurred by Walmart employees who rely on public-assistance programs to supplement their low wages. The report should provide food for thought for any community seeking to attract the retail giant.

1 minute read

June 2, 2013, 11:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


"Walmart wages are so low that many of its workers rely on food stamps and other government aid programs to fulfill their basic needs, a reality that could cost taxpayers as much as $900,000 at just one Walmart Supercenter in Wisconsin, according to a study released by Congressional Democrats [PDF] on Thursday," report Dave Jamieson and Saki Knafo.

"Though the study assumes that most workers who qualify for the public assistance programs do take advantage of them, it injects a potent data point into a national debate about the minimum wage at a time when many Walmart and fast food workers are mounting strikes in pursuit of higher wages."

Friday, May 31, 2013 in Huff Post Business

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