Catherwood LibraryILR School

The South African Competition Tribunal approved a deal that will allow Wal-Mart to buy retailer Massmart. The deal, which was opposed by unions, says that the company cannot cut jobs for two years, and that labor agreements will be honored for three years. South Africa's largest union federation, the Congress of South African Trade Unions, said that it will encourage members to boycott the stores and to hold demonstrations in protest of Wal-Mart. Cosatu says that they are worried that the company will increase imports and not stimulate the local economy. They also wanted stronger provisions to ensure the company is union. Wal-Mart says that company will create jobs in South Africa. The deal is expected to go through in the next few weeks.