In the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, immigrants mainly from China are imported under fraudulent schemes and work under appalling conditions. In the first-ever attempt to hold U.S. retailers accountable for mistreatment of workers in foreign-owned companies operating on U.S. soil, human rights groups today are filing a class action lawsuit against 18 high profile U.S. manufacturers and retailers, including The Gap, Tommy Hilfiger, May Company, Sears and Wal-Mart.

Guest:

• Carmencita Abad, a Filipino garment worker in Saipan who worked for SAKO, a firm that produces garments for The Gap and other manufacturers.

Related links:

• Global Exchange
• Sweatshop Watch
• The Gap
• 1/7/99–Democracy Now!–Trade Violations in U.S. Commonwealth
• Saipan