DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TA-W-57,654

ORIENTAL ACCENT, INC.
FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
USC 2273), the Department of Labor herein presents the results of
its 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 Trade Adjustment
Assistance, the group eligibility requirements in either paragraph
(a)(2)(A) or (a)(2)(B) of Section 222 of the Trade Act must be met.
It is determined in this case that the requirements of (a)(2)(B) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated August 1, 2005 in response to
a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers at
Oriental Accent, Inc., Farmers Branch, Texas. The workers are
engaged in employment related to the assembly of lamps.
The investigation revealed that the subject firm's sales are
comprised of home accessories. The workers are not separately
identifiable by job function.
Employment and production at Oriental Accent, Inc. decreased
from January through June 2005 when compared to same period in
2004.
The investigation further revealed that the firm is replacing
lamp assembly at the Farmers Branch, Texas facility with imports of
assembled lamps.
In accordance with Section 246 the Trade Act of 1974 (26 USC
2813), as amended, the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of its investigation regarding certification of eligibility
to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance (ATAA) for
older workers.
In order for the Department to issue a certification of
eligibility to apply for ATAA, the group eligibility requirements
of Section 246 of the Trade Act must be met. The Department has
determined in this case that the requirements of Section 246 have
been met.
A significant number of workers at the firm are age 50 or over
and do not possess skills that are easily transferable.
Competitive conditions within the industry are adverse.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with lamps produced by Oriental
Accent, Inc., Farmers Branch, Texas, contributed importantly to the
total or partial separation of workers and to the decline in sales
or production at that firm or subdivision. In accordance with the
provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Oriental Accent, Inc., Farmers Branch, Texas,
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after August 1, 2004, through two years from the date of
certification, are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance
under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, and are also
eligible to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance
under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D.C., this 23rd day of September 2005
/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance