I received a query from a reader asking for more details about the Wal-Mart-Mansoura-España connection.

According to a source at Mansoura-España, Wal-Mart was a client from at least 2003 to 2006. There are no figures available yet, but Wal-Mart orders, according to the source, used to be given to Misr Garments Company and the Giza Spinning and Weaving Company, which in turn used to subcontract the Mansoura-España for the job. Wal-Mart used to send US "inspectors" to the Mansoura-España to monitor "quality," which means Wal-Mart was well aware of the abusive working conditions of the (largely female) labor force in the Talkha factory. The last shipment of shirts sent out from the factory to Wal-Mart was in 2006. There is no exact date available yet, but I'm told the factory worked on this shipment roughly from Feb to June 2006.

I'll post more details if I manage to find out more info...