No sweatshop

In late October there was a demonstration in San Francisco regarding sweat shops in Saipan.

On Nov. 4, 1999, my wife and I left California for a return visit to Saipan where we had worked as United States government civilian employees from 1961 to 1979.

After WWII until approximately late 1979, Saipan was a part of what used to be called Micronesia or the U. S. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. In 1979, the six districts of Micronesia were allowed to determine their own political futures. In a referendum Saipan voted to become a Commonwealth of the United States and it was subsequently approved by the United States under President Carter’s administration.

While on Saipan, we had the opportunity to meet Willie and Jerry Tan, brothers, American citizens and United States educated, who are officials of the Tan Holdings Corporation under its diversified consortium, Tan Holdings owns and operates one of the garment factories located in Saipan.
Aware of the recent demonstrations in San Francisco on the issue of sweat shops in Saipan, we asked Mr. David Sablan, another official of Tan Holdings, if we could visit the garment factory. Mr. Sablan is a close friend of over 40 years whose reputation is beyond reproach. We explained that there had been demonstrations back home and we wanted to see the factory for ourselves.

Within 30 minutes, my wife and I were at the factory. Mr. Sablan took us through the entire facility from the front door through the factory (cutting, sewing, etc.), quality control, packing, pricing, warehousing, and shipping. We also visited the administrative offices. We saw no signs of sweat shops.

What we did see were:

1. The entire facility was clean and free of any type of offensive odors. The noise level was between negligible and low.

2. The factory and administrative offices were completely and equally air Conditioned.

3. There were clean air filters throughout the factory.

4. All employees were dressed in neat and clean uniforms.

5. Equipment appeared to be clean and modern (including computerized and automated machinery for laying out, cutting, etc.)

6. Signs encouraging safety first were clearly posted around the facility.

We noted signs in the facility with what is apparently the factory motto: “Striving to be the best in the world having the best cared for workers in the world”

Further,

1. Workers are provided free housing in dormitories.

2. Workers are provided free transportation, to and from work.

3. Workers are provided three meals a day at no charge, seven days a week, whether it is a work day or not.

4. Workers are provided free medical.

5. Workers are provided free uniforms.

6. Workers are paid the Commonwealth’s minimum wage established by law, the same as any other person who wishes to work at any j0b in the Commonwealth for minimum wages.

7. All workers brought into the Commonwealth for the garment factory from the Peoples Republic of China come for a three-year tour as agreed upon between the CNMI government and the Chinese government.

8. Workers are provided transportation from China to Saipan and return at the end of their tour.

There are 32 garment factories on Saipan owned by companies from different countries, i.e. South Korea, Taiwan, etc. Therefore, I wish to make clear that this letter speaks only to the garment factory which we were privileged to visit.

Workers for the Tan Holdings factory are brought in legally under an agreement between the CNMI government and the Peoples’ Republic of China to work and so as to insure worker protection.

The garment factory is entirely managed, owned, and operated by Tan Holdings Corp., a U.S. corporation. Under laws of the CNMI, it pays taxes to do business and it pays taxes for income derived from that business to the CNMI, a Commonwealth of the United States of America.

Therefore, people that demonstrate to protest “sweat shops” in Saipan should be clear as to what and which factory they protest, so as not to damage all, including those who are also providing jobs for local people and substantial tax revenues for the growth and well being of a sister U.S. commonwealth and its people.

Look at the deplorable way many companies in America treat migrant workers from south of the border. Not only are many of the migrant workers employed under illegal conditions, their treatment is a disgrace and contemptible. We Americans can do better; we must do better here in our own backyard. I believe Tan Holdings is doing a remarkable job in their efforts to balance quality management while addressing social accountability to their workers. We can do well to follow their lead in addressing like issues for our migrant workers.

Thomas W. Tavares
Tracy CA