DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-41,141

GARAN INC.
KAPLAN, LOUISIANA


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
eligibility 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 on March 25, 2002 and filed
on behalf of workers at Garan Inc., Kaplan, Louisiana. The
workers are engaged in employment related to the cutting, sewing,
and finishing of women's and children's shirts.
The investigation revealed that production and employment at
the subject firm decreased absolutely in May 2002.
The women's and girl's shirts produced by the subject firm
are marketed through normal retail channels. Thus the articles
manufactured by the subject firm have been impacted importantly by
the high penetration of imports into this market. Aggregate import
data revealed that U.S. import-to-shipments ratio in the women's
and girls' blouses category was 399% in the relevant period.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investiga-
tion, I conclude that increases of imports of articles like or
directly competitive with the women's and girl's shirts produced by
Garan, Inc., Kaplan, Louisiana, contributed importantly to the
decline in sales or production and to the total or partial separa-
tion of workers of that firm. In accordance with the provisions of
the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Garan Inc., Kaplan, Louisiana, engaged in
cutting, sewing, and finishing of women's and children's
shirts, who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after February 8, 2001, 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 7th day of August, 2002.

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