A promise has been made by Wal-Mart chiefs that they'll?help China's top trade union authority establish unions in all of their outlets across the country.

Wal-Mart executives made the commitment during visits to branches of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) in Shenzhen and Nanjing where a total of five Wal-Mart unions have been formed.

A statement released by Wal-Mart on Wednesday said the company would cooperate closely with the ACFTU in setting up trade unions in all its 60 Chinese outlets.

Joe Hatfield, president of Wal-Mart Asia said: "I hope to establish with the ACFTU and local branches a good relationship that would be conducive for our employees and business development. We think it's in line with Chinese government's efforts to build a harmonious society."

The commitment of the world's top retail giant came as six trade unions have been established at its Chinese outlets in the past two weeks -- four in Shenzhen and one each in the eastern city of Nanjing and the southeastern city of Quanzhou.

The sixth trade union was set up at 10:30 on Wednesday morning at its Zhongshan store in Shenzhen where Wal-Mart has its China headquarters. So far four out of the thirteen Wal-Mart outlets in Shenzhen have established their own trade unions.

(Xinhua News Agency August 10, 2006)