U.S. Workers and Free Trade

In the article “Free Trade With Mexico Will Escalate Crusades for Safe Garment-Industry Jobs” (Opinion, Sept. 1), Daphne Eviatar appears to make the point that the plight of U.S. workers will deteriorate dramatically if the free trade agreement (FTA) is signed with Mexico. She contends that the “ maquila program has encouraged exploitation of Mexican workers and has left thousands of U.S. workers jobless as North American companies have moved production south of the border.”

We believe the issue of the FTA with Mexico is more complex than the author states. We agree that some jobs have been lost, but the long-term net effect is more difficult to ascertain. The garment industry is an industry in decline, but so are other industries such as steel, leather, etc. With the maquiladora program, research shows many manufacturers who would have gone offshore to Taiwan, Malaysia or the Philippines are now creating jobs in Mexico. Evidence also shows that the maquiladora program has benefited the Mexican economy and that many U.S. plants in Mexico are high-tech and extremely clean. It is in the interest of the U.S. to help our neighbors create a stable economy.

However, problems do exist because the infrastructure (e.g., sewer systems, roads, schools) is not in place to support the workers who are attracted to these plants. Also at issue is the enforcement of Mexican health, safety and environmental laws. Enforcement of these laws benefits both sides of the border.

Thus there is legitimate criticism to the maquiladora program, but its critics, such as Daphne Eviatar, may have overdramatized their case. We believe that all workers are entitled to a decent wage and to a workplace that is as free from occupational hazards as possible. This is true whether one is referring to U.S. workers or to Mexican workers.

SUE GREENFELD

Professor of Management

HAROLD DYCK

Associate Professor of Information

and Decision Sciences

Cal State San Bernardino