When the 1981 multifiber arrangements were adopted. it was envisioned that imports would rise by 6 percent a year. Instead. they have soared to 19 percent a year. This has threatened the livelihood of nearly 2 million workers in the industry. Many of the workers In the textile industry. come from innercity neighborhoods. such as the ones I represent. or from thinly populated communities where the local textile mill or apparel plant represents the only job opportunity in town. Textile and apparel workers are almost always women. minorities. and recent immigrants who. If they lose their jobs. have few other options open to them. The textile and apparel industries are the most labor Intensive industries in this country.
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immigrants