72 Manchester Road
            Newton, MA 02161

August 16, 1993 

The President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20025

RE:  Problems related to products made outside of U.S.A.
(U.S. jobs, slavery, and global environment)

Dear Mr. President:

On July 30, I watched ABC's 20/20 by Ms. Lynn Sherr.  It was a story of a doll (toy) factory's (Kader doll factory) fire in Nakhon Pathom (30 miles west of Bangkok), Thailand which took place in May 1993.  The incident killed and injured approximately 200 and 300 workers respectively; it was reportedly the worst fetal fire in the world's manufacturing history. 

Ms. Sherr's presentation raised a very poignant question resulting from this tragedy.  While American children's toys are regulated and controlled for safety, she asked: “ Should these workers or anyone else risk lives in making them?”   As toy makers (or any other manufacturers) enjoy the advantage of low cost in other countries, the US continues to buy these products. “ Who is responsible for this kind of tragedy? ”  

In my opinion NO ONE SHOULD RISK LIVES MAKING THE LIVING; THE US IS RESPONSIBLE, FOR THE MOST PART, FOR THE LIVES LOST. 

The incident was a fragment of a big picture.  This is the results of the business leaving the US, or subcontracting to the manufacturers in developing countries to lower their cost.  They sell products to the US (and others) where higher profit margin can be made.  This is happening due to low cost of living, labor, and less-regulations in those countries. 

This is a global business reality.  Savvy business will target less if not the least expensive territories to make a move to, typically and currently Southeast Asia (Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, etc.) where cost-cutting criteria can be met in addition to the needed skill.  Due to inequitable local requirements between the US and these countries, the trend will continue; the result could be as deadly to the world community outside of the US in both short and long terms. 

In so doing they literally take jobs away from the US; they avoid investment in life-safety and environmental protection which may not be recognized and/or required by the local authorities.  Labor are plentiful.  Once located away from the US soil these manufacturers find themselves in a business-utopia of buy low and sell high.  The first victim of this business maneuvering is the American job supply.  Given what is available out there, there is no end insight as to how many more jobs will the US continue to lose. 

The next victim is the local worker in those countries.  Due to underdeveloped environment -- business and otherwise -- in addition to poverty they (managers and workers) are improperly represented.  They are consequently induced to endure severe conditions at work; some include risking lives for few dollars a day.  Job related fetal incidents and severe injuries are not uncommon routines. 

The last but not least victim is the global environment.  It is unlikely that these business will volunteer to meet the US standards once located elsewhere.  Lagging local rules and regulations those workplaces are not only unsafe but also are very capable of dumping toxic waste into waterways and atmosphere.  Slowly and surely clean water and air will diminish around them.  When the clean-up needs become obvious it could be too late to save the global vital environmental asset.  The entire world resource could be consumed by pollution control tasks alone.  Chances are the world community will find the connections to blame it on the US.

This could suggest that the US Foreign Aid may drastically soar that time. 

This fetal fire should be best taken as a wake-up call for all of us in the world community -- US as well as others.  We should make an effort to close the gap of inequality in local requirements between US and these countries, at least to the level applicable to the products, scheduled for the US market. 

Certain “standard” is needed for labor wage, plants, and workplaces.  This could be a mammoth task if not impossible; but without it we are going back to accepting “slavery” which we band.  Without our initiative those toy makers will continue to practice what's easy for them.  The myopic host countries can only see the short-term gain.  More often than not governments who run those countries fails to represent the working class, the environments, etc. for many reasons. 

Should we or shouldn't we buy the products will not only depend on price tags and how safe they can be used, but also under which conditions they are made.  The idea is not very different from when we bar certain products from China, which appeared to be made by prisoners' labor. 

Steps to take to establish “standard” will require wage and plant (workplace) certifications with periodical (annual, etc.) updates. Local labor boards of those countries shall satisfy the US that their people can “work for the living” with the going wage; plant and related facility construction shall be completed with professionals' affidavits; architects and engineers shall be held accountable and liable for life-safety and environmental soundness as applicable.  US representatives shall have rights to access all documents and facilities for the purpose of inspection and verification.  While this letter is being written, a hotel in Korat (150 miles north east of Bangkok), Thailand was reportedly collapsed killing and trapping people in the hundreds -- a continuous evidence showing sub-standard practice in building design & life-safety commitment in those countries. 

Through the Executive Branch's initiative, the concern shall be addressed in trade-treaties among nations.  Countries who condone absence of laws and orders in work places or support destruction to clean water and air shall be disqualified from sending products to the US market. 

The whole world will benefit from this “standard”.  American consumer, who ends up paying a little more, shall be proud of its roll in saving jobs; creating jobs; saving lives; and saving the environment.  All of that can be done without the tax-payers' money.  Businesses who wish to relocate or subcontract (to overseas) still have to meet the “semi” US laws and regulations regarding wage/life-safety/environment if they wish to sell the products here.  The US labors at home will no longer compete against “slavery” but more-compatible-fellow-human-being.  US jobs, which provide “standard” verification and monitoring, will be generated.  The host nations will benefit from fair contributions from these successful relocated businesses or subcontractors.  In addition to direct employment, local authorities and professional service jobs will be created.  Worker life-safety and living standard will be improved.  Global clean air and water will be secured.

Respectfully yours,

Chalermpol (Charles) Intha

cc: U.S. Congressman Barney Frank
U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy
U.S. Senator John F. Kerry
ABC Network's 20/20