[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 145 (Tuesday, October 13, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2153]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


      INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE HAN YOUNG WORKERS

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                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 13, 1998

  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a resolution on 
behalf of workers who are on strike to improve conditions at the Han 
Young truck factory in Tijuana, Mexico. Congress has a moral obligation 
to support these workers, who are fighting for their basic democratic 
rights.
  The Han Young factory is a contract factory that assembles truck 
trailer chassis for the Hyundia Corporation. The workers of the Han 
Young factory, consistent with their rights under Mexican law, formed a 
union to address issues like low wages and worker safety. However, the 
management of the Han young factory has refused to bargain with the 
union and local officials failed to recognize the union. Since May of 
1998, eighty Han Young workers have been on strike to protect their 
basic right to organize.
  Under the procedures outlined in the North American Free Trade 
Agreement, the United States National Administrative Office (NAO) in 
the Department of Labor has conducted a review of the conditions at the 
Han Young factory. The NAO found consistent and credible reports of a 
workplace polluted with toxic airborne contaminants, operating with 
unsafe machinery, and numerous violations of health and safety 
standards. The workplace of the Han Young workers lacked even 
``adequate sanitation facilities for workers to relieve themselves'' or 
even ``get a drink of water.''
  Our trading partners must address the issue of worker's democratic 
rights. In the case of Mexico this means enforcing already existing 
labor laws. It is vital that we in Congress send a strong message in 
support of the Han Young workers. I hope that you will join me in 
support of the Han Young workers.

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