Article: With economic downturn, Central American garment industry is suffering.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

MANAGUA, Nicaragua _ At least 11,000 Central American garment workers have lost their jobs this year because of a drop in U.S. clothing sales, leading some experts to fear that even more people who depend on the industry will eventually be out of work.

The recent downturn in the U.S. economy has slowed apparel purchases and caused a pileup in clothing inventory at American stores. Big names from Bali to Levis and The Gap, which contract with factories in Latin America, have cut or canceled orders, industry watchers said.

Honduras, with 124,000 factory workers, has been particularly hard hit. So far this year, 8,400 employees were laid off with the ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!