FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 12, 2008
Contact: Riya Ortiz, Ugnayan ng mga Anak ng Bayan, 212.564.6057, ugnayan.nynj@gmail.com
“Sonny Manlapaz said he loved me as a daughter and he would never let me go because I was the best waitress he had,” a young Filipina worker told a gathering of supporters in Manhattan last Sunday at the community forum entitled “Working for Pennies, Seeking Justice”.
Holding back her tears, immigrant youth and Ugnayan ng mga Anak ng Bayan member Adriane Padilla recalled her ordeal working as a waitress for three years for her employers. Padilla said that Sonny Manlapaz and Lilia Reyes, owners of a Filipino restaurant and bar formerly known as Barrio Fiesta in Queens, neglected their responsibilities to their employees.
“I didn’t complain or demand minimum wage, overtime pay and other rights as a worker because I wasn’t aware about these at that time,” Padilla said.
To an audience of about 20 youth, workers and other supporters, Adriane told her story at the community forum last March 9, 2008. She said she was asked to work long shifts on weekends from 4 pm until 4 am, then had to come back to work again five hours later. In addition to serving, she and her co-workers mopped the floor, wiped the windows, cleaned the bathroom, washed the wine glasses and silverware, and stocked bottles of beer in the refrigerator. Despite this grueling work, their employers paid them only $3 per hour, and the workers were asked to share their tips.
Then, the worst scenario happened. Manlapaz informed Padilla that he would withhold her salary to offset his expenses. He promised to pay her, but did not give a definite date. Relying on that promise, Padilla worked without pay while constantly inquiring about her salary. About eight months later, Manlapaz finally denied his promise to pay her and instead offered to pay half of what he owed her.
“Rather than work for a man with no palabra de honor (word of honor), I left with my dignity, honor and self-respect intact,” Padilla said.
The Justice for Adriane Campaign, initiated by the Filipino youth organization Ugnayan ng mga Anak ng Bayan, demands Manlapaz and Reyes to: (1) Pay Adriane in unpaid wages, overtime pay and wage violations; (2) Issue an apology letter to Adriane; and (3) Respect the rights and dignity of all workers.
Ugnayan Mass Campaigns Officer Riya Ortiz also spoke at last Sunday’s forum. “Adriane is one of the thousands of Filipino youth who are forced to migrate from the Philippines to find better opportunities for themselves and their families,” Ortiz said.
“In the US alone, there are approximately three million Filipinos, including undocumented Filipinos. According to US Census 2000, there are about 62,000 Filipinos in New York City; 72 percent are immigrants like Adriane. The Census paints a picture of a highly-educated and successful Filipino community, but it doesn’t tell an accurate picture. And it doesn’t tell us anything about the direct experiences of the youth in particular.”
Ortiz talked about the systematic marginalization that Filipino youth, especially the undocumented immigrant youth workers, experience in the work place, where they receive low wages and suffer from long work hours and abusive work conditions.
Ugnayan Spokesperson Joana Palomar spoke about the conditions in the Philippines that drive Filipino youth to migrate. “Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo claims that there are a lot of jobs available for the people despite the fact that there is massive unemployment in the country,” Palomar said. “It is also not true that the Philippine economy is growing stronger. In fact, it continues to worsen and the hardest hit are the marginalized sectors, including the youth and students.”
“The challenge is for the Filipino people in and outside of the Philippines to link arms to uphold and promote our rights and welfare, and call for a leadership change to appease the suffering of our people,” Palomar concluded.
New York University law students Carrie Johnson and Leila Azari talked about the labor rights of restaurant workers, including minimum wage, overtime pay, and other rights. Azari said that the minimum wage applies to everyone regardless of immigration status.
The participants engaged in a discussion about the next steps for the Justice for Adriane Campaign, and committed to sustaining the momentum.
“We reiterate our call for unity in the Filipino community but based on respect and justice,” Ortiz said. “At the same time, handa tayo sa matagalang laban (we are prepared for a long struggle).”
Ugnayan will be holding house meetings to raise awareness about Adriane’s case and the struggles of Filipino youth restaurant workers, educate the youth workers about their labor rights, and empower them so they can fight back regardless of their immigration status.
“My tatay (father) said that I shouldn’t let anyone step on my principles,” Padilla said. “So I ask you: If you have been taken advantage of for the longest time, would you forever seal your lips and let fear take over? Stand up and fight back!”
For photos of the forum & more information about the Justice for Adriane Campaign, please visit www.ugnayan.blogspot.com. ###
Adriane Padilla recounting her experience of not being paid for eight months
NYU law students Carrie Johnson & Leila Azari discussing the labor rights of restaurant workers
Youth, workers and other supporters attending the community forum
Community forum participants listening to the speakers
To view more photos, please visit:
http://flickr.com/photos/ugnayannynj/sets/72157604097873383/
