[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 155 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2185]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    SHAME IN SAIPAN: EXPLOITATION OF WORKERS IN THE GARMENT INDUSTRY

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                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 5, 1997

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to the attention of all 
Members of the House the appalling labor conditions that exist in the 
garment industry in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 
[CNMI].
  These islands, which were under Japanese control during World War II 
and were occupied by the United States in 1944, have been governed by a 
covenant with the United States since 1986. The covenant grants United 
States citizenship to the residents of the Marianas, but the United 
States agreed not to extend United States immigration laws there, 
responding to fears that excessive immigration might result. The 
Federal minimum wage was also not extended to the Mariana Islands.
  Mr. Speaker, a recent congressionally mandated report notes that, 
``Ironically, CNMI policies have resulted in aliens becoming a majority 
of the island's population. . . . The garment industry takes full 
advantage of the immigration and minimum wage exception privileges, as 
well as privileged exceptions to the Federal trade laws, to ship 
products partially manufactured in the islands into the United States 
market even though the islands are outside the customs territory of the 
United States.''
  The worst aspect of these developments has been the increasing 
practice by which Chinese bonded and indentured workers are imported 
into the factories of the Marianas, unprotected by labor laws, under 
contracts which prevent these workers from practicing their religions, 
engaging in political activity, or even marrying. Ample documentation 
exists that the barracks in which these workers are housed are as 
squalid as anywhere in the world, but ironically apparel produced in 
these sweatshops comes into the United States labeled ``Made in the 
USA''. According to the Federal Government, ``the average landed value 
of CNMI garment shipments to the United States is now at a rate of $625 
million annually.''
  Mr. Speaker, it is totally unacceptable for manufacturing to take 
place on what is American soil under these deplorable conditions. There 
is a new administration that will soon take office in Saipan, and 
President Clinton is to be commended for insisting that the CNMI live 
up to United States labor and human rights standards in order to 
continue receiving the preferences and aid it receives under the 
covenant. I hope that all Members will support legislation that will 
correct these inequities.

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