PSLINK supports class suit by Filipino migrant teachers against abusive recruiters
A group of Filipino migrant teachers based in Louisiana, United States has filed a class suit against their recruitment agencies.
Last August 5, hundreds of Filipino migrant teachers led by the Filipino Educators Federation (FEF) filed a class lawsuit against their recruiter Universal Placement International (UPI) and its Philippine-based partner, PARS International for various offenses which include human trafficking, extortion, and fraud.
In a press statement issued by the FEF, the teachers recounted how their dreams of a better future for them and their families were shattered because of the oppressive and non-transparent practices of their recruitment agencies. They resigned from their jobs, put themselves deep in debt, sold their properties, and left their families in order to work abroad.
The teachers claimed that they "never imagined that an oppressive racketeering trap" was laid before them.
"Universal Placement International or UPI and its Philippine-based conduit, PARS International, created a non-transparent scheme that starts with earning your trust, then proceeds with a series of payment collection laced with subtle intimidation and then followed through with fraud, coercion and open extortion," the press statement read.
"We were herded onto a path, a slowly constricting path, where the moment you realize that something is not right, you were already way past the point of no return."
The Filipino teachers have found an ally in the Philippines-the Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK), an umbrella organization of government unions representing more than 80,000 workers nationwide.
"We in the PSLINK strongly support the class suit filed by the FEF," said Annie Enriquez-Geron, General Secretary of PSLINK.
"We think highly of these teachers who have chosen a most difficult path in defense of the rights of our migrant workers."
Enriquez-Geron claims that the lawsuit is a landmark action that can potentially benefit all Filipino migrant workers.
"The class suit holds a lot of significance for our Filipino migrant teachers. It is the first of its kind in the United States and we hope that the FEF will get a favorable and just decision that they rightfully deserve. A favorable resolution of course will set a good precedent and help boost our migrant workers' rights in the United States and elsewhere," she added.
PSLINK is optimistic that the case will be resolved in favor of the FEF given the staggering evidence against them.
According to Enriquez-Geron, the FEF has "amassed more than enough testimonies and evidences of illegal and unethical recruitment practices committed by UPI and PARS."
"There are documents proving that the recruitment agencies charged them highly exorbitant fees. There is proof of harassment against the Filipino teachers. They were also forced to sign irregular contracts."
"It is high time that the UPI and PARS be held accountable for their oppressive recruitment practices," she added.
PSLINK has long supported the cause of Filipino migrant teachers in the Philippines. The national labor federation has continued to exert pressure on the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and other concerned government agencies in relation to the ongoing case of the beleaguered migrant teachers in Louisiana.
For more information contact:
Jillian T. Roque
Education, Advocacy, Research, and Publication Unit Head
Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK)
9244710; 09185070287; jill_of_pslink@yahoo.com
Posted at: 01:21 | Add Comment
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