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Disposable Labor Commodities In Saipan

I am a twenty-something caucasion resident of the CNMI [The U.S. Marianas Islands], working in the education field here. I currently reside in Saipan's "Chinatown" where most of my neighbors are from mainland China. Since my arrival a year ago, I have learned some Chinese and have spoken, at considerable length, with many girls from mainland China.

Let me assure you, contrary to your other reader comments, [see Letters, November, 1997] that your statements about abuses are all true to a frightening point. In fact, for someone to contest the statements you put forth only belies ignorance of the actual labor practices which occur here in Saipan and the Commonwealth.

Most of the girls coming here do so after making arrangements with the Chinese mafia ("Fu Jin"), the same mafia that has been exposed in the past for the transport of children to the states for child sex rings. This mafioso is very direct and merciless to the women; many of them pay anywhere from $5000 to $7000 to "come see America." When they arrive, they meet horrific working conditions and are treated like slaves, at worst; disposable labor commodities at best. Some complete their contracts and return to China, thinking they have "experienced America." I attempt to curb this misconception whenever possible.

The hourly minimum wage is a farce, currently at $3.05 an hour. The garment worker must produce so many garments per hour/per day, or work overtime (generally 16 hours) until that quota is met. She is paid for eight hours, before housing and other "allowances" are owed back to the barracks and other such places. These girls work six days a week and are, in many cases, not allowed to leave the barracks at night or Sundays. The cutthroat employment conditions imposed by the factories lead many of the women to, more or less, run away to work at Japanese-catering brothels and "karoake bars" (brothels with video karoake machines).

I could go on and on; however, I believe you covered many of the main points about the abuses occurring in the CNMI. I have seen these things after being here for only a year. It seems as if those in public office define the English word "election" as "excuse to embezzle and take bribes." I have never witnessed a more sickened social ethic as I have seen in the CNMI.

The climate here is incredibly exploitive and filled with nepotism. The CNMI "employs" large attorney firms in the mainland U.S. to secure their congressional place of non-interference. It was encouraging to see a letter from Clinton come to the governor of the Commonwealth reprimanding the current labor practices, although no action took place as a result.

It is my hope that the immigration abuses occurring here will come to an end through federal regulation; for such things to occur on U.S. soil is disgraceful and against the spirit our nation propagates and carries into effect. It would be a liberating experience for the indigenous people if the contract workers were either naturalized or forced to leave to their homelands. I personally look forward to the expiration of my contract (or obtaining subsequent relocatable employment back in the U.S. mainland).

Regards,
Anonymous


Corporate America? Wrong Vision!

This time you've gone too far!

To suggest that software professionals making more than $27.63 an hour as independent contractors are among the oppressed because they don't get to be employees of Corporate America and unionize ["Department of Management's Lackeys?"] goes so far outside any vision of a progressive society for this decade and the next that it demands a response.

At least you're consistent. In the article on exotic dancers as private contractors ["Sex Trade Workers Organize"] you identify the steps of progress as establishing that they are employees, and then to unionize. Not even considered was the alternative of setting up an owner-operated shot to compete with the corporate flesh mongers.

Why don't you do a series of articles on progressive entrepreneurs? Being the owner of the product of one's own labor, with the freedom to negotiate one's own terms, might be consistent with a vision of a progressive society other than what you've presented. Even if it requires some short-term sacrifice, the long-term rewards are greater for those who produce more than they consume.

It also allows the individual to retain the social responsibility for what they choose to produce, as well as what they choose to consume.

Sincerely,
Michael J. Swassing
The writer is the sole proprietor of A Natural Gardener.


A Commitment To Good Oral Health

Your January 1998 article on dentistry by Marjorie Rhodes ["Dental Malpractice"] does a great disservice to your readers and to a profession that has contributed greatly to the health of the American people.

The author has reworked some other inaccurate and unscientific articles that disparage an entire profession. It's unfortunate that Ms. Rhodes has had a difficult time finding a dentist she likes because the majority of Americans are very pleased with their dentists. According to a recent Gallup poll, dentists are among the top five most trustworthy professionals. Even Mr. Ecenbarger, the author of the Reader's Digest article Ms. Rhodes cites, has stated he has a good relationship with his dentist of 15 years. We believe most people have similar relationships with their dentists based on trust and a commitment to good oral health.

Ms. Rhodes also tries to alarm your readers by questioning the use of dental amalgam. The World Health Organization, FDI World Dental Federation and the American Dental Association all support the continued use of dental amalgam as a safe, durable and cost-effective material to restore teeth. There is currently no credible scientific evidence that exposure to mercury from amalgam restorations poses a serious health risk in humans, except for the exceedingly small number (less than one percent) of allergic reactions.

We hope in the future your publication will present a more balanced article. Perhaps you could focus on the many ways dentists prevent disease (such as a significant reduction in tooth decay rates), save patients money or provide access to care for the needy.

Sincerely,
Victor J. Barry, D.D.S.
Eleventh District Trustee American Dental Association



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