* Wal-Mart international executives cheer on employees
* Talk of Mexico bribery scandal largely avoided
* Wal-Mart shares end day 0.4 pct lower at $65.44
By Jessica Wohl
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark., May 30 (Reuters) – Top executives of
Wal-Mart Stores Inc did not directly mention a Mexican
bribery scandal at an employee pep rally on Wednesday, but asked
their international workers to focus on “integrity” as a core
value.
The world’s largest retailer has been under fire from
shareholders and activists after the New York Times reported in
April that management at Wal-Mart de Mexico, or
Walmex, allegedly orchestrated bribes of $24 million to help it
grow quickly last decade and that Wal-Mart’s top brass tried to
cover it up.
Chief Executive Mike Duke was among the senior Wal-Mart
executives allegedly aware of the situation, according to the
Times. He is now a main target of disgruntled shareholders, who
would like to see him and others removed from the board.
Wal-Mart has repeatedly said that it would not comment on
the specific allegations until investigations are completed.
Executives on Wednesday sidestepped specific mention of the
allegations in Mexico, the company’s first and largest
international market. They referenced integrity as one of the
core values at a company where employees cannot even accept a
free cup of coffee from a vendor. They also underscored the
importance of complying with local laws and told employees to
report any possible wrongdoing.
Continued…
