Walmart may avoid lawsuit by 1.6 million women

THE US Supreme Court appears ready to block a massive sex discrimination lawsuit against Walmart on behalf of up to 1.6 million women, and that could make it harder for other workers nationwide to bring class-action claims against large employers.

The 10-year-old lawsuit, argued in lively exchanges at the court, claims that Wal-Mart Stores, the world’s largest employer, favours men over women in pay and promotions.

Billions of dollars are at stake if it is allowed to go forward.