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On Sept. 4, an international alliance of migrant Filipino workers vowed to support the plight of a domestic worker who has accused her former employers of making her a slave.
Elma Manliguez alleges that she was abused by former employers Martin and Somanti Joseph of Queens for nearly two years, when she worked for six cents an hour and ate leftovers.
We will launch an international campaign for her in order for the world to know that Filipino domestic workers should not be treated like a slave, Poe Gratela, secretary general of Migrante International, said in an interview with The Filipino Express.
The migrant workers organization claims a membership of more than 100,000 around the world.
We salute Elma and the Philippine Forum-Filipino Workers Center for their courage and willingness to stand up for the rights of Filipino domestic workers in New York. We will also stand beside them in this time of need, Gratela said.
As foreigners, our overseas compatriots fall easy prey to abusive foreign employers. They become scapegoats for crimes committed by local residents. They get arrested or deported, sometimes for simple offenses. But more often for no wrongdoing, Gratela said. Many employers confiscate their passports so they cannot leave or transfer to another job. They also suffer racism, discrimination and physical abuse.
He said close to 4,700 Filipino workers have died overseas and sent home in caskets for burial in the Philippines between 1990 to 1995, citing reports from the Philippine Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.
Statistically, this means that almost three Filipinos died abroad every day from various causes, usually under mysterious circumstances, he said.
The Philippine Forum-Filipino Workers Center in New York has launched a massive campaign for Manliguez.
This campaign serves to give authentic account of abuses of Elma and of the countless numbers of Filipino men and women as well as other immigrants of color, who are the fodder of the much-vaunted material progress of the United States, said Robert Roy, executive director of the Philippine Forum.
Roy said Manliguezs case brings to light the widespread assault and abuses on the basic rights and dignity of domestic workers.
Its high time for all abused Filipino workers and all other immigrants to come forward and end domestic slavery, Roy said. Manliguez has shown the courage and willingness to stand up for her rights. Her case is the first ever heard by U.S. courts.
Elma Manliguez alleges that she was abused by former employers Martin and Somanti Joseph of Queens for nearly two years, when she worked for six cents an hour and ate leftovers.
We will launch an international campaign for her in order for the world to know that Filipino domestic workers should not be treated like a slave, Poe Gratela, secretary general of Migrante International, said in an interview with The Filipino Express.
The migrant workers organization claims a membership of more than 100,000 around the world.
We salute Elma and the Philippine Forum-Filipino Workers Center for their courage and willingness to stand up for the rights of Filipino domestic workers in New York. We will also stand beside them in this time of need, Gratela said.
As foreigners, our overseas compatriots fall easy prey to abusive foreign employers. They become scapegoats for crimes committed by local residents. They get arrested or deported, sometimes for simple offenses. But more often for no wrongdoing, Gratela said. Many employers confiscate their passports so they cannot leave or transfer to another job. They also suffer racism, discrimination and physical abuse.
He said close to 4,700 Filipino workers have died overseas and sent home in caskets for burial in the Philippines between 1990 to 1995, citing reports from the Philippine Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.
Statistically, this means that almost three Filipinos died abroad every day from various causes, usually under mysterious circumstances, he said.
The Philippine Forum-Filipino Workers Center in New York has launched a massive campaign for Manliguez.
This campaign serves to give authentic account of abuses of Elma and of the countless numbers of Filipino men and women as well as other immigrants of color, who are the fodder of the much-vaunted material progress of the United States, said Robert Roy, executive director of the Philippine Forum.
Roy said Manliguezs case brings to light the widespread assault and abuses on the basic rights and dignity of domestic workers.
Its high time for all abused Filipino workers and all other immigrants to come forward and end domestic slavery, Roy said. Manliguez has shown the courage and willingness to stand up for her rights. Her case is the first ever heard by U.S. courts.