US, PH Officials Help Abused Filipino Workers

Rommel Conclara, ABS-CBN News

SAN FRANCISCO – A memorandum has signed by the United States Labor Department and the Philippine Consulate to promote and defend labor rights of all Filipino workers regardless of their immigration status.

The US Department of Labor Wage & Hour division is working with Philippine officials to help kababayans who have been abused by their employers through wage theft.

“I can tell you that we have been able to put more than $5 million into the hands of Philippine workers who have been working long hours in the residential healthcare industry,” said Susana Blanco, Director of US Department of Labor Wage & Hour.

US officials created a program called EmpleoPinoy, specifically to help Filipino workers understand their rights. They stressed, all cases are confidential.

“So what’s important is that they shouldn’t fear coming forward. We don’t release that information and we’re here to protect them. It doesn’t matter what their immigration status is and if they have something to report, we’re here to assist them,” said Blanco.

“To take that fear away, we must be able to disseminate these information and we have to work together through the community as well,” said Henry Bensurto Jr., Philippine Consul General at San Francisco.

Bensurto welcomes the partnership with the US Dept. of Labor because it could encourage abused Filipino workers to come forward and seek justice.

He said kababayans in dire situation should not feel alone and should always reach out to consul officials if they are abused in the workplace.

“When we talk of fair wages, when we talk of welfare, all of this sums up to one thing, which for me is the bottom line—it speaks about the dignity of the human person. If you’re able to deliver this, and are able to help so that these are delivered to the people, then we’re helping elevate humanity to its appropriate dignity,” he said.

For more information of EmpleoPinoy or to request for their assistance, people are encouraged to call 1-877-885-6641.

(Source: ABS-CBN.com)