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Date of publication: March 12, 2007

Source: Springfield Republican

Author: Liana Foxvog

Excerpt from article:

Letters to the Editor

Gov. Deval L. Patrick's concern over the care of the illegal immigrants' children from the raided New Bedford sweatshop is commendable, but misses the bigger issue - a sweatshop existed in his state.

When federal immigration officials raided Michael Bianco Inc., they discovered horrific working conditions similar to the conditions in New England mills over a century ago. The workers are mostly from Central America, a region where so-called "free trade" has eroded local economies and forced people to emigrate for their survival.

Unfortunately, the poor working conditions these workers faced in Massachusetts were not much better than sweatshops in Central America. And what was Michael Bianco, Inc. producing in this sweatshop? Vests and backpacks for the United States military...