Letter from Hermosa Workers

Today's fact is a letter we received from the workers of the Hermosa factory.

San Salvador, March 23, 2007


Dear friends from the organizations that have supported the struggles of the former Hermosa Manufacturing workers

To United Students Against Sweatshops, USAS

We send warm greetings and wish for your success in all of your efforts.

We would first like to thank you for all of the support that you have
offered for almost two years as we have struggled for justice after
our factory closed. We have walked down a long and difficult road
that has been full of limitations, but we have also established
judicial precedents in El Salvador, a compensation fund that is
insufficient but is also a precedent, and we are now tremendously
happy to hear that the administrations at many different universities
are taking a stronger position against the brands. We believe that
this is fruit of the struggle of the student organizations and other
like-minded groups who have worked to change the position of the
universities and to spread the word about our demands.

These advances fill us with encouragement to continue our struggle.
We are facing very serious economic difficulties in our homes and many
of the members of our group that has been working on this struggle
have health problems. However, when we receive news about our case
and when we learn that the universities are taking a look at their
commercial relationships with the brands that were involved with
Hermosa, it recharges our energy and our conviction to find justice
and to continue on.

We would therefore encourage you to continue with your struggle. We
will continue to do the same as we begin a new legal process with
regards to the sale of the building in which Hermosa operated, which
is property of Hermosa Manufacturing, whose primary shareholder is
Joaquin Salvador Montalvo Machado. This person is also the owner of
MB Knitting Mills, a factory that continues normal operations after
receiving a transfer of goods that were sold by Hermosa Manufacturing
to third parties.

Despite out limitations, we maintain our hope that your struggle and
ours will have a final outcome that benefits all of the affected
workers. There is no way to calculate the price of this struggle
which has included our health, our efforts, and our dedication.

Group of former workers of Hermosa Manufacturing