ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, September 24, 1996 TAG: 9609240013
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
"Roberto," an underground labor organizer who cannot use his real name, will speak about labor rights and abuses in factories of his native Nicaragua this week. A worker in one of the free trade zones and a father of two, Roberto is traveling throughout the Southeast to gather support.
Clothing and goods manufactured in the free trade zones of Central America are typically produced by women and children. Worker abuse in these "sweatshops" made international news when Kathy Lee Gifford's line of clothing was reportedly produced by these workers.
Roberto will speak of the need for protection through labor unions twice: at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Radford University's Ingles Hall; and at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, at the Blacksburg Presbyterian Church. His visit is sponsored by Witness for Peace, the Coalition for Justice, the Central American Solidarity Committee of Radford, and a Radford University sociology class, taught by Dr. Nelda Pearson.
LENGTH: Short : 26 linesby CNB