BEIJING -- Nine more trade unions have been established in Wal-Mart's Chinese outlets since the world's retailing giant made commitments on August 9 that it would help China's union authority establish branches in all its stores across the country.

Fifteen of Wal-Mart's 60 outlets in China have established their own unions, according to the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU).

The anti-union employer saw its first union at the Jinjiang outlet on July 29 after 30 employees appealed to the local federation of trade unions.

Trade unions have since been set up in the cities of Shenzhen, Nanjing, Jinan, Fuzhou, Shenyang, Dalian and Nanchang.

Other stores, including Wal-Mart's only store in Shanghai, were also considering setting up trade unions.

An official with ACFTU's department of grassroots organizations said the ACFTU was very satisfied with the progress, and he acknowledged Wal-Mart's "active attitude" in helping set up union branches.

However, the official, who declined to be named, also warned that union establishment should abide by China's trade union law, and that unions already established should give priority to safeguarding employees' rights while accelerating corporate development.

"There is no sense in setting up trade unions if they cannot help the employees and the company develop," the official said.

Wal-Mart has traditionally refused to allow trade unions in its outlets, incurring criticism from human rights and labor organizations.