AAPI Nexus: Policy, Practice and Community

Today’s changing political and economic environment requires new strategies and collaborations in order to effectively advocate for the rights of garment workers. Globally, a major restructuring of apparel production is anticipated in 2005, which will further enable apparel retailers and manufacturers to move production to countries offering the lowest labor costs. California could lose more than half of its industry, leaving 50,000 immigrants unemployed. Workforce development is a possible way to help transition garment workers into better jobs. The article reflects upon the experiences of Chinese garment workers with the workforce development system, and points out that workforce development alone is not enough to confront the challenges facing garment workers in the global economy.