Speech #1050098301

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 islands 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.