The world's largest retailers have for the first time agreed on a unified set of workplace standards aimed at eliminating problems such as child labour and unpaid wages in their vast global supply chains. Wal-Mart, Tesco, Carrefour and Metro...have been working with Migros, the largest Swiss retailer, to develop a draft code of standards called the Global Social Compliance Programme..."The ultimate objective is to improve conditions in the supply chain," said Alan McClay, chief executive of CIES, an international association of food retailers and suppliers that is heading the initiative...However, it has received a cautious response from labour rights advocates concerned they have not been consulted in the formation of the initiative, and are excluded from a direct role in its governing board.