Category Archives: Human Rights
- 25-11-2006
State Has Yet to Test Slavery Statute
No human trafficking cases have been tried since the law went into effect nearly a year ago. It’s too difficult to prove the crime, police say. November 25, 2006|Garrett Therolf | Times Staff Writer When Westminster police raided the apartment, they were convinced they were freeing the eight women inside from modern-day slavery. Police said Continue Reading
- 19-12-2005
Program to Fight Human Trafficking is Underused
Lack of awareness and simple fear may be reasons. December 19, 2005|Anna Gorman | Times Staff Writer The single mother, struggling to support two children in Thailand, knew she couldn’t turn down a job offer as a cook in a Thai restaurant in Woodland Hills. But when Thonglim Khamphiranon arrived at her new post, her Continue Reading
- 24-1-2000
Sweatshop Exhibit Revives Painful Memories
Human rights: Thai women freed in 1995 El Monte raid view show at Simon Wiesenthal Center’s Museum of Tolerance that depicts their brutal working quarters. January 24, 2000|EDWARD J. BOYER | TIMES STAFF WRITER It was a scandal as close as a bedroom closet–an outrage hovering there among familiar sportswear, dresses, jeans, hats and shirts. Continue Reading
- 3-4-1998
Servitude a Fact of Life, Thais Say
Cultures: Alleged mistreatment of two immigrant women is unfortunate, but not an unusual fate for the ‘lower class,’ many contend. April 03, 1998|ERIC SLATER and CLAIRE VITUCCI and JULIE TAMAKI | TIMES STAFF WRITERS Early on the morning of Jan. 14, as the rest of the Woodland Hills household slept, the two Thai women hurried Continue Reading
- 2-4-1998
Envoy’s Companion Accused of Holding Immigrants in Slavery
Courts: Woman is charged with forcing two servants smuggled in from Thailand to work at her home and restaurant for 18 hours every day. Suspect vehemently denies the allegations. April 02, 1998|DAVID ROSENZWEIG and CLAIRE VITUCCI | TIMES STAFF WRITERS The female companion of a ranking Thai diplomat was accused in a federal indictment Wednesday Continue Reading
- 24-10-1997
Sweatshop Workers to Get $2 Million
Labor: Five firms settle with 150 Thai and Latino employees of notorious El Monte apparel facility and its sister plant in L.A. October 24, 1997|GEORGE WHITE and PATRICK McDONNELL | TIMES STAFF WRITERS Five major companies, including Mervyn’s and Montgomery Ward, have agreed to pay more than $2 million to 150 workers who labored under Continue Reading
- 13-1-1997
Often, the Workers Pay
EASY PREY: EXPLOITING IMMIGRANTS When disputes with employers arise, many have little recourse but to turn to the state labor office. It can take years to settle their claims. January 13, 1997|DON LEE | TIMES STAFF WRITER Immigrant workers by the thousands file through the doors of the state labor commissioner’s office every year, hoping Continue Reading
- 13-1-1997
Recruiters’ Lies Lure Workers; Debts Serve to Trap Them
EASY PREY: EXPLOITING IMMIGRANTS Day Two January 13, 1997|DON LEE | TIMES STAFF WRITER He was farming rice in a poor village in Thailand when recruiters came calling with a tempting offer: Work overseas and send your family hundreds of dollars a month. The 48-year-old man, who asked that he be identified by a nickname, Continue Reading
- 19-6-1996
Not Home Free
Thais Freed From Sweatshop Are Adjusting to Life in U.S., but the Future Is Uncertain June 19, 1996|KENNETH CHANG | TIMES STAFF WRITER At their regular Thursday night meeting, 20 Thai workers who spent nearly three years confined in an El Monte sweatshop gather for English lessons. The lesson of the night: how to order Continue Reading
- 5-9-1995
Freed Thais Offer Thanks During Labor Day Rally
Workers: Sweatshop was ‘like coming to hell,’ one says. Union, state officials urge tougher enforcement of laws in garment industry. September 05, 1995|JEFF LEEDS | TIMES STAFF WRITER With union placards in their hands and a still-unfamiliar sun overhead, 55 of the Thai garment workers liberated from an El Monte sweatshop last month offered tearful Continue Reading