DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-38,563

BENEL MANUFACTURING INCORPORATED
DUNN, NORTH CAROLINA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
USC 2273) as amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act
of 1988 (P. L. 100-418), the Department of Labor herein presents
the results of an investigation regarding certification of eligi-
bility to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance
each of the group eligibility requirements of Section 222 of the
Act must be met. It is determined in this case that all of the
requirements have been met.
The investigation was initiated in response to a petition
received on January 22, 2001 and filed on behalf of workers at
Benel Manufacturing, Inc., Dunn, North Carolina. The workers
produce primarily girls' school uniforms.
The investigation revealed that production and employment
decreased in 2000 compared to 1999.
U.S. imports of women's and girls' skirts increased in 1999
compared to 1999 and in January-June 2000 compared to the same
period in 1999. In January-June 2000, the ratio of imports to U.S.
consumption exceeded 201%.
The U.S. Department of Labor conducted a survey of the
manufacturer for whom the subject firm performed contract work in
1999 and 2000. The survey revealed that the respondent increased
its utilization of contract work for school uniforms from foreign
sources and its imports of school uniforms while decreasing its
contract work with the subject firm in the relevant period.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investi-
gation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles like or
directly competitive with school uniforms produced at Benel
Manufacturing, Inc., Dunn, North Carolina contributed importantly
to the decline in sales or production and to the total or partial
separation of workers of that firm. In accordance with the
provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Benel Manufacturing, Inc., Dunn, North
Carolina who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after January 8, 2000, through two years from
the date of certification, are eligible to apply for
adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of
1974."

Signed in Washington, D. C. this 8th day of March, 2001


/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance