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SGMA suspends two ‘errant’ members
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Posted on Jan 22 1999
The Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association announced yesterday that it temporarily suspended two of its members for 30 days for alleged violation of occupational standards and wage payments to its employees.
SGMA declined to identify the companies.
The association’s chairman, James Lin, said: “At the conclusion of our 30-day investigative period, if these member companies don’t show us that our evidence warranting suspension is false, or if they don’t take the necessary steps to correct the deficiencies when acknowledged, SGMA will provide company names first to their buyers and a permanent suspension could be voted upon by the board.”
SGMA Executive Director Richard Pierce, on his part, said: “Under our current Code of Conduct, specific committees meet to consider evidence on compliance matters. Currently these committees are being formed and that’s part of what this week’s Code of Conduct training is all about.”
He said until such time that the committees are formed, “the board is initiating action to deal with today’s problems, hence the temporary suspension. He said that within 30 days the committees will have been formed and their bodies will consider the investigation’s gathered information.”
Pierce added: “These companies know full well that these problems are to be corrected. Months ago we have discussed these situations in the absence of the code. We have conveyed our intent months ago as well and have even met and discussed these situations with both the companies and local authorities and SGMA has decided to take this action at this time.”
Lin said he hopes the companies immediately resolve these problems.
“We truly want these reported violations corrected. We cannot and will not allow any factory to jeopardize the membership as a whole with any irresponsible or unlawful activity. This is our resolve and this is the promise we make with our commitment to our Code of Conduct”.
