DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-58,415

EL PASO GARMENT CONTRACTORS, INC.
EL PASO, 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), as amended, 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)(A) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on November 29, 2005 in
response to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of
workers of El Paso Garment Contractors, Inc., El Paso, Texas. The
workers produce women's denim jeans.
The investigation revealed that sales, production and
employment at the subject firm declined absolutely upon the firm's
shutdown, which occurred on November 30, 2005.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's primary
customer regarding their apparel purchases. The survey revealed
increased customer imports.
Additionally, aggregate United States imports for consumption
of women's and girls' bottoms (excluding skirts) was over 700
percent relative to domestic shipments in 2004, and increased
absolutely in the one year period ending June 2005 compared with
the same period one year earlier.
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 possess skills that are not 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 women's denim jeans produced at
El Paso Garment Contractors, Inc., El Paso, 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 El Paso Garment Contractors, Inc., El Paso,
Texas who became totally or partially separated from
employment on or after November 28, 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 12th day of January 2006

/s/ Richard Church
______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance