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In A. Samoa Americans intimidate Vietnamese
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Posted on Feb 26 2001
PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (PIDP/CPIS) — Some American citizens who visited American Samoa recently have intimidated Vietnamese garment workers by saying they will be punished if they return to Vietnam, according to Ambassador Le Van Bang at the Vietnamese Embassy in Washington DC.
Ambassador Bang outlined his concern in a letter to American Samoa’s Congressman Eni Faleomavaega, seeking the Congressman’s help for the safe return of the more than 200 factory workers stranded here since Daewoosa Samoa closed its doors on January 19th.
With Daewoosa on the brink of bankruptcy, Ambassador Bang said the Vietnamese workers are facing extreme difficulties. “They are in need of food and safe shelters and to have their pending salaries and other benefits on contract legally settled,” he added.
He said the Vietnamese Embassy also learned that “there are some American citizens who came to the Territory to intimidate the Vietnamese workers, telling them of allegedly possible punishments when they return to Vietnam.
“While the motive of such individuals is not clear, their actions have confused the workers and aggravated the situation they are already in,” he added.
Faleomavaega said he hopes to meet next week in Washington DC with the Vietnamese Ambassador along with Governor Tauese Sunia, who departs Thursday for the National Governor’s Associations meeting in DC.
However, Faleomavaega said it is still unclear whether or not the Vietnam government is committed to assisting financially to pay for food for the workers while in the territory and the return airfare to Hanoi.
Before the meeting in D.C. Faleomavaega said three primary issues need to be assessed: the back wages due workers, transportation costs home for the workers, and the concerns of those voicing objections to returning to their homeland.
