DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-64,274

ITEM EYES INC.
A SUBSIDIARY OF HAMPSHIRE GROUP LTD
SAMPLE ROOM
NEW YORK, NEW YORK

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,
as amended (19 USC 2273), 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 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 on October 24, 2008, in
response to a petition filed by UNITE HERE Local 23-25 on behalf of
workers of Item Eyes Inc., a subsidiary of Hamphshire Group LTD,
Sample Room, New York, New York. The workers produce samples of
women's apparel such as pants, jackets and blouses.
The samples produced are used for marketing women's apparel.
Employment in the Sample Room at Item Eyes Inc., New York New York,
declined when the subject firm shifted production of samples to
China. It is likely that imports of samples will increase.
In addition, 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 there was a shift in production
from the workers' firm or subdivision to China of articles that are
like or directly competitive with the samples produced by the
subject firm or subdivision, and there has been or is likely to be
an increase in imports of like or directly competitive articles. In
accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the following
certification:



"All workers of Item Eyes Inc., a subsidiary of Hamphshire
Group LTD, Sample Room, New York, New York, who became totally
or partially separated from employment on or after October 23,
2007 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 20th day of November, 2008.


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