Date of publication: March 27, 2007
Source: Metro News West
Author: Hillary Collins-Gilpatrick, Liana Foxvog and Robert Ross/Guest columnists
The raid at the Michael Bianco factory in New Bedford presents a disturbing case of turning a blind eye to the perpetrator while punishing the victim. The tragedy that separated mothers and children and has jailed hard-working honest wage earners puts a merciless and glaring spotlight on the miserable conditions that prevail in the industries that provide soft goods - uniforms and linens - to national, state and local governments. It is an opportunity to go beyond finger pointing - who informed whom of what and when - and to address the conditions that the Bianco workers face.
The exposure of a sweatshop in Massachusetts producing for a federal government contract should make us wonder about the labor conditions in factories producing apparel and other products that may be bought by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts...