Dr. Avilés, director of the The Human Rights Ombuds Office in El Salvador described the problems in the maquila as grave; "violations range from physical abuse, illegal firings, sexual harassment and being denied access to medical care." The Human Rights Ombuds Office assigned several investigators to monitor conditions at Mandarin International over the course of several months. They documented that there were a lot of underage workers, some workers were paid less than the legally established minimum wage, forced to work without pay until their quota was reached, overtime work was obligatory, the company paid "starvation wages", bad working condi tions, physical punishments and beatings, bad medical conditions, etc., etc.
The Human Rights Office oF the Archdiocese of San Salvador has issued three reports based on its investigations at the plant and found the management responsible for:

• Violation of the right of Mandarin employees to publicly meet and demonstrate;
• Violation of the women workers' right to humane and decent working conditions, including having to suffer physical punishment and beatings;
• Violation of the workers' fundamental rights to freedom of association and union organization.

The GAP says it conducted a "very thorough" and "intensive" seven month investigation in El Salvador, speaking with "human rights", "religious", "academic" and "government" leaders. The GAP concluded by stating: "Based on our investigation, we have determined with confidence that the Mandarin factory treats its workers well and meets our standards of fairness and decency." "Despite this intensive effort our investigation has not uncovered any significantevidence supporting the allegations or indicating that there has been any serious violations" of the rights of the woman sewing GAP shirts.
An example of the 'good' conditions at Mandarin: In the month of May, it was common for Mandarin to run on daily twelve-hour shifts, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. However, at least one day a week the workers came in at 7:00 a.m. and worked until 5:00 p.m., when they were told to report back to work. From 7:00 p.m. they worked straight through to 3:00 a.m., at which time the young women were finally let out and told to be back at work again four hours later at 7:00 a.m. There is no public transportation at 3:00 a.m.; it is pitch dark and dangerous at that hour. During their 18 hours workday, one production line in the pklant was sewing Eddie Bauer short sleeved, pocketed T-shirts at least four minors, two of them 15-years olds, were forced to stay and work.

On October 13th, several fired Mandarin union workers demanded a meeting with the GAP to talk about the abuses that they suffered at the Mandarin plant.
Human Rights organizations, Members of the National Assembly, women's groups, unions, academics, attorneys, religious and international organizations call on the GAP to participte in a real investigation of its contractor in El Salvador. They declare that "there exists more than sufficient evidence and readily available documentation to establish beyond doubt that gross violations of women's and worker's rights took place at the Mandarin international Plant in the San Marcos Free Trade Zone."

In solidarity with the Mandarin workers the U.S National Labor Committee, for months working on this case, is calling to turn up the pressure on the GAP.
The GAP is one of the largest apparel companies in the world with an annual turnover of more than $4 billion in annual sales. You are asked to join in and put pressure on the GAP. Call them, they have a toll free phone number in the U.S. (800-333-7899, ask for Mr. Stanley Raggion, Senior Vice-President). The GAP has stores in countries outside the U.S. and Canada. If you have contacts, or live in Britain, France or Japan, you can do something at the GAP stores in these countries. Please also write Donald G. Fisher, Chief Executive Officer of the GAP: One Harrison Street, San Francisco, CA 94105, U.S.

Remember: it's not a solution for the GAP to cut and run. GAP must not pull out of the Mandarin plant. That would set the direct opposite precedent to what the fired women are struggling for. If the GAP pulls out, then the lesson is that if the maquiladora workers attempt to defend themselves and assert their rights, they will be fired. It must be made clear to the GAP that after exploiting the women for years, they are not now free to walk away and wash their hands of the problems at Mandarin. They must stay, must pressure Mandarin to reinstate the fired workers and negotiate with the union.

• End the Cover-up: Immediately undertake a joint investigation with the National Labor Committee - this time a real investigation meeting with the fired workers and human rights leaders in El Salvador.
• Immediate Reinstatement with back-pay: All the locked union leaders, pregnant women and the fired union members - many of whom are now blacidisted and unable to find work - must be reinstated immediately.
• Demilitarize the Mandarin Plant: Fire Colonel Amaya and his hired thungs. Guarantee that Mandarin recognize and negotiate with the SETMI union.
• Compensate the over 100 fired minors, who were illegally forced to work long overtime hours sewing GAP shirts.
• The GAP can't pull out: After exploiting the young women workers for several years, the GAP cannot just cut and run. GAP must work witli its contractor, Mandarin, to reinstate the fired workers, demilitarize the plant and recognize the union.
• Commit the GAP to third party, independent monitoring of its contractors' compliance with the GAP code of conduct. The National Labor Committee will help set this up.

More information:

National Labor Committee

(Educational Fund in Support of Worker and Human Rights in Central America)

15 Union Square

New York, NY 10003

USA

Phone 212-2420700

Fax 212-2557230