DOALL UPDATE
December 21, 1999

Please find below some news regarding the case of the Doall workers, producing for Liz Claiborne and other U.S. brands, in El Salvador (for background on this case see the action request sent around on Dec. 2, 1999). The new information on this case was provided by the Campaign for Labor Rights and the National Labor Committee, in the U.S.

For more information, contact the National Labor Committee
[NLC: (212) 242-3002, <nlc@nlcnet.org

The NLC reports that, in response to
pressure for reinstatement of the fired Doall workers, Liz Claiborne has:

1.) Called upon its contractor, Doall, to reinstate the 39 workers fired
for organizing a union;
2.) Publicly commitment itself to respect freedom of association and
collective bargaining without repression or reprisals; and
3.) Agreed to verification by the Independent Monitoring Group of El
Salvador, GMIES - and not by PriceWaterhouse Coopers.

The NLC and others are monitoring events closely. After consulting with the
fired workers, CTS, SETDESA, CENTRA and other unions, human rights and
women's organizations, the NLC has called off an emergency delegation of
the NLC, People of Faith Network, USAS, New Economy Communications, UNITE
and the Steelworkers, which was scheduled to arrive in El Salvador on
Tuesday, December 14. The NLC also has delayed plans for leafleting Liz
Claiborne stores during the holiday season.

Should these moves by Liz Claiborne and Doall turn out to be a delaying
tactic in order to get through the prime holiday shopping period, the NLC
will respond with a national alert, leafleting of stores and the emergency
delegation.

The Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES) adds:
"According to our partners in El Salvador, [Doall], the Vice President of
Liz Claiborne and worker (union) representatives are currently involved in
negotiations. The workers and organizers of the factory request that there
be no international pressure on Liz Claiborne or the government of El
Salvador regarding the firings while negotiations are going on. They are
concerned that pressure could jeopardize these negotiations. As the
discussions proceed, we may be requested to resume pressure. If the
negotiations fail, international pressure will be crucial."