As if the decline of the garment industry in New York City wasn’t already rapid enough pre-9/11, the attack happened and the garment factories suffered severely. Being located in Manhattan, in Chinatown, literally no more than a mile away from the World Trade Center was always an advantage, and the factories thrived. Those who ordered garments from NYC factories could check on their orders easily because the trip to Chinatown was short and quick, especially when compared to trips to factories in Asia. However, the factories’ location turned out to be their greatest disadvantage come 9/11. Roads were closed south of Canal Street for over a week, trains didn’t run to Canal Street for over a month, increased traffic due to increased security persisted for months, or even years. Garment factory workers couldn’t get to work and phone service in sections of Chinatown was only restored by the end of 2001. In the meantime, outsourcing occurred at rapid rates, and competition for real estate from Internet-based companies drove rent through the roof. Some businesses simply left Manhattan, while others had no choice but close.
Such happenings left garment factory workers jobless, and in some cases, eventually, homeless. Employers willing to hire these former factory workers were nowhere to be found. With little or no knowledge of English, former Chinese factory workers did not meet the requirements for most other jobs. Many of these Chinese women didn’t know anyone who worked in other industries and, hence, couldn’t ask an acquaintance to help with the finding of a new job. Those who had many a time complained about their garment factory jobs came to really regret having done so. All these newly unemployed Chinese immigrants really wanted their jobs back, but few had their wish granted simply because these jobs were unavailable. Garment factories became more competitive as a result of 9/11 and workers are expected to work longer hours. Flexible hours in Chinese factories became a thing of the past. As one female worker said, “I do what the boss wants….Others who can’t keep up with what the boss wants are told to leave.”
It was very saddening to read about how hard it was for former Chinese garment factory workers to find new jobs post-9/11. Would it have been easier for these women to find new jobs today?
How differently would Chinatown have been affected by the World Trade Center attack if the disaster had occurred more recently, in 2011 or 2012?
