US retail giant Wal-Mart could face one of the biggest lawsuits in history from up to 1.6 million present and former employees who say that the company systematically underpaid women and overlooked them for promotion.
"Women have been paid less than men at Wal-Mart every year since 1976, in every managerial position," Brad Seligman, a lawyer for the workers, told a judge in California.
Lawyers are hoping to launch a nationwide class action against the company.