Dr. Margaret M. Chin recently released her study on Chinese garment workers in Chinatown after the September 11 attacks. Chinatown, located less than 10 blocks away from the World Trade Center, experienced unprecedented economic loses after September 11. Three weeks after the attacks, the streets were nearly empty and many stores were gated and shuttered. According to Chin, Chinatown, a home to 56,000 Asian residents, housed over 250 restaurants and over 240 garment factories with employment of 14,000 Chinese garment workers. The garment industry was severely hurt and has had a much more difficult time recovering. By Spring 2002, closed shops in Chinatown dislocated some 2,800 workers. By Fall 2002, another 25 shops were closed leaving a total of 3,500 garment workers unemployed..
Dr. Chin's study analyzed interviews with 61 garment workers at a close range. She collected in depth data on how those workers have been making ends meet, and how they plan to find their next job. Dr. Chin's findings dealt with answer three concerns: how are these women making ends meet day to day, what will they do next to replace their former jobs, and what types of social networks do they have. In addition, she investigated what they thought about their future in the United States and amount immigration to the United States.
The study was funded by the Russell Sage Foundation. Dr. Chin is professor at the Department of Sociology, Hunter College - CUNY.