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From: http://www.saipanfactoryfacts.org/

[1999] At least 22 garment factories on Saipan were named defendants in the class action suit filed in the District Court here. It is the biggest court action facing the local garment industry.

Among the companies named in the suits were The Gap, Cutter & Buck, Dayton Hudson, J. Crew Group, J.C. Penny, Sears Roebuck & Co., The Limited, Oshkosh B'Gosh, The Gymboree, the Associated Merchandising Corp., the May Company, Lane Bryant, Wal-Mart, Tommy Hilfiger, and the Warnaco Group. Major buyers of Saipan-made apparel products include the Gap, Liz Claiborne, Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren's Polo line.

Lawsuit vs. garment firms alleges labor violations

Twenty three foreign garment workers yesterday filed a civil action in federal court against 22 local garment manufacturers alleging violations of federal and local labor laws. The suit, alleged violations of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, the CNMI Nonresident Workers Act, the CNMI Minimum Wage and Hour Act and other laws for nonpayment of overtime premiums and minimum wage.

The garment firms produce clothing for some of the nation's leading fashion companies and clothing retail outlets.

The garment workers were not identified for fear that if their true identity is revealed, they will face physical violence, immediate deportation to China or their country of origin, likely arrest upon arrival in China or their country of origin and an order by China and other authorities accelerating the repayment of debt incurred for recruitment fees. They also fear that their families may face similar threats of physical and economic retaliation if their identity is revealed, the complaint explained. The plaintiffs brought the action on their own behalf and on behalf of a class of at least 25,000 similarly situated nonresident garment workers who are, or have been, employed by the garment manufacturers.