APPENDIX B
STATEMENT FROM ASIA MONITOR RESOURCE CENTER
The abrupt withdrawal of Christine Vertucci's work permit will be highly disruptive to the business of Asia Monitor Resource Center. Chris is a CO-- director of the Center and one of the registered partners. She plays a leading role in our work, and her sudden, unexpected departure would be a serious blow. As the other partner of Asia Monitor I would like to explain a little more about what we are.
Asia Monitor Resource Center is a non-profit, independent research and documentation center concerned with the relationship between the developing Asian countries and the world economy. For example, we examine the role of multinational corporations in Third World development. We focus mainly on Southeast and East Asia, and sometimes include the Indian sub-continent.
The Center relies principally on churches around the world for financial support. We receive about 80% of our funds from religious groups in North America, Europe and Australia. In addition, we have done contract research for such organizations as the United Nations Center on Transnational Corporations in New York, the Institute for Food and Development Policy in San Francisco, and Amnesty International in London.
Until recently, our work has focused mainly on the less developed countries. in the region. In mid-1981, we began a study of chemical hazards in Asia and the way in which multinational corporations can take advantage of slack safety lows and less vigilant governments in the region. We are examining how foreign firms move dangerous operations which involve chemicals banned or strictly controlled in their home countries, to the less regulated investment sites of Asia. In the course of this study, we have received some publicity in the press concerning the chemical hazards present in the electronics industry in Hongkong. This is the first time we have undertaken research which has resulted in criticism of social conditions here.
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The majority of our work involves the day-to-day monitoring of business activit in Asia, and the publication of this information in organized forms such as our magazine, Asia Monitor.
We will support and assist Chris' appeal against the Immigration Department's decision and hope that you will also give her your support.
John Sayer
27 January 1982