Mysterious
letter sparks curiosity, investigations
An Oregon woman says
she found a note pleading for help in a box of Halloween novelties. The
discovery is getting attention from federal authorities.
It sounds like
something out of a thriller novel -- and it still hasn't been verified. But a
letter recently found in a box of Chinese-made Halloween decorations has
sparked investigations into whether some products imported from the People's
Republic are -- against U.S. laws -- being made under forced labor.
Earlier this month,
the Oregonian reported the story of the discovery by Julie
Keith, who works at a Goodwill facility in Portland, Ore. For years, a
brand-new "Totally Ghoul" graveyard kit from Kmart had sat in her
garage, and when she finally opened it in October, she found a note written in
choppy English.
"Sir," the
letter began, "if you occasionally buy this product, please kindly resend
this letter to the World Human Right Organization."
The unsigned letter,
which also has notes in Chinese characters, outlined the alleged abuse of
workers at the Manshanjia Labor Camp in the northeastern Liaoning Province.
(You can see the letter here.)
"People who work
here have to work 15 hours a day," the note continues, "without
Saturday Sunday break and any holidays. Otherwise they will suffer torturement
beat and rude remark." The note also says workers at the camp make about
10 Chinese Yuan -- or about $1.60 U.S. – a month.
Unsure of where to
turn, Keith published the letter on Facebook and asked for comment. Some
people questioned whether the letter was real -- but it has nonetheless made an
impact.
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