TNAG-0147-FCO40-183-Exports-of-textiles-to-United-States-of-America-1969 — Page 82

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G.F. 323

CONFIDENTIAL

- 5.

Employment in textile and apparel has not kept pace with the increases in employment throughout the United States. This is true even though technological improvement, such as permanent press, has required more workers.

The level of skills, the amount of training, etc., make the textile and apparel industries a prime source of employment for the dis- advantaged in our society. A decline in these industries will hit directly at those we are most concerned about helping in our labor force. Because of the location of the industry in part in one-company towns, and in part in urban centers where we have poverty problems our ability to move workers to other areas is severely limited. All these factors, in short, are compelling reasons why we must avoid any loss in employment opportunities in these industries.

CONFIDENTIAL