Nike argues that Mex Mode is too expensive. When the WTO's quota system ended in January of 2005, Nike and others began shifting more work to China and Vietnam, and other countries that openly violate workers' rights. Nike has work in 152 factories in China and 12 in Mexico. In 11 of the factories in Mexico, workers have few if any rights.
"We're not against workers from anywhere else," Hernandez Ponce said. "I met a woman from Los Angeles who said we were stealing jobs from the United States. Well, you cold also say that about immigrants who come here. We want to earn a living where we are and not have to emigrate."
JOAQUIN ALAS SALGUERO
Joaquin Alas Salguero is a worker and union leader from the Just Garments factory in El Salvador. He serves as Secretary General of the Textile Workers Union in his country.
Photo of Joaquin Alas Salguero
http://www.davidswanson.org/sites/davidswanson.org/files/images/usas1_0.jpg
Audio of Joaquin Alas Salguero with translation by Allie Robins of USAS
http://www.davidswanson.org/sites/davidswanson.org/files/downloads/audio/salguero.mp3
Alas Salguero said El Salvador lost 17,000 garment industry jobs between 2004 and 2005.
The Just Garments factory is not looked on favorably by the owners of other factories or by the government, because it is run by the workers. The workers own 56% of the factory, having won compensation for wrongdoing from the Gap and Lands End, and having invested the money in ownership.
But Just Garments does not have the extra capital to buy materials and machines in order to provide a "complete package." So it works only on subcontracted projects and makes less profit.
Just Garments is in search of a loan of, or numerous small loans totaling, $120,000 so that it can buy the fabric needed to fulfill a contract with a large t-shirt distributor.
To find out how you can help, go to www.justgarments.net or write to info@justgarments.net
Alas Salguero said that CAFTA is only benefiting large businesses while hurting the people of El Salvador. If there is an epidemic, he said, the government is forbidden to buy inexpensive medicines.
Hernandez Ponce said "free trade" is similarly bad for Mexico, which is now considering an agreement with China. While small businesses in Mexico are heavily taxed, she said, transnational companies are given free land and tax breaks and utilities.
The tour that these and other workers are making has stops planned in these towns:
http://www.studentsagainstsweatshops.org/workertour.php
Thursday February 23: Durham, Chapel Hill (Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill)
Friday February 24: Iowa City (University of Iowa)
Saturday February 25: Madison (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
Sunday February 26: Urbana-Champaign (University of Illinois)
Monday February 27: West Lafayette (Purdue)
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