May 4, 2000

According to top OSHA official

Saipan shaking off 'sweatshop' image

By Haidee V. Eugenio
Variety News Staff

THE U.S. Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) yesterday acknowledged an apparent turnaround in Saipan's "sweatshop" image, citing good working relationships between federal regulators and CNMI industry.

Frank Strasheim, OSHA region IX administrator, said improvements have been made by garment manufacturing companies to ensure they comply with OSHA regulations.

He, however, did not elaborate on the matter, but said his office commits itself to continuously improving relationships with the CNMI government and businesses, particularly the garment industry.

Saipan's garment industry, which is embroiled in a class action suit, has been the subject of criticism in the U.S. mainland, due to allegations of sweatshops with abused and ill-treated indentured labor taking advantage of a legal loophole that allows them to ship garment products into the mainland U.S. duty free and with "Made in the USA" label.

Strasheim made the statement during the Saipan Chamber of Commerce 's general membership meeting held at the Hyatt Regency.

The OSHA official is on Saipan to "support'3 the five-day Code of Conduct training seminar which began on May 2, and is sponsored by the Saipan Garment Manufacturers' Association and the U.S. Department of Labor.

Meanwhile, Rear Admiral Tom S. Fellin, commander of the Naval Forces Marianas (ComNavMar), reiterated the CNMI's value to the U.S. Navy and the U.S. military in general.

Fellin, the Chamber's guest speaker, said the CNMI–and the whole Marianas–remains to be of great value to the U.S. military because of its "strategic" location. He also said the region is a great training site. Moreover, he said Saipan has become a favorite destination for U.S. military ship port calls, especially with the improvements in the docks.

Fellin is the regional commander in chief for Pacific Fleet and commander in chief Pacific Command Representative for Guam, CNMI, Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau.

The Chamber also presented a plaque of appreciation to Fellin during the meeting.

Stephen Nygard of Guam Business News also made an announcement on the upcoming Pacific Region Investment Conference to be held in Guam from May 24 to 26.