Workers Academy, Workshop 2: Know Your Labor Rights Training
“Malaking tulong po ang Workers Academy, Workshop 2, at medyo hindi na ako kinakabahan dahil alam ko na ang mga karapatan ko. Marami po akong natutunan tungkol sa labor rights. Maraming salamat po at mag-a-attend ako sa susunod para po mas madami pa akong malaman at maintindihan” (The Workers Academy workshop 2 was a big help and I'm a little less nervous because now, I know my rights. I learned a lot about labor rights. Thank you very much and I will attend next time so that I can learn and understand more.)
- Alma, Damayan member and domestic worker, Workers Academy attendee
Last Saturday, October 22, Damayan members attended the Workers Academy, Workshop 2: Know Your Labor Rights Training at The People’s Forum in New York City.
Filipino nannies, babysitters, caregivers, housekeepers, and other low-wage workers came eager to learn and brought with them their questions about their employment and their rights. Catholic Migration Services’ Attorney David Colodny gave a detailed presentation about domestic workers’ rights under New York Labor Law. It was an eye-opener for some, and empowering for many, to know that they have rights and can work with dignity, regardless of their immigration status. Some of them who have been working for decades in this country did not know they had rights and have endured employment abuses, just to be able to provide for their families back home. Many employers have known this and have taken advantage of these migrant workers. Damayan aims to help these migrant workers seek legal help in order to win back stolen wages and file for cases against their abusers. The event culminated in one worker’s heart-wrenching testimonial, courageously telling all the details of the hard life she and her children endured back home in the Philippines, the hardship she faced here under her trafficker, and the triumphant win of her case. She is a survivor who stood in front of her fellow migrant workers, encouraged them to speak up, and offered them her help should they need it.
The day was capped off with a closing circle where everyone get to say how they feel and a group photo
Workers Academy is a four-part workshop series conducted by Damayan for its members who immigration or labor cases, or think they may have one. It aims to impart knowledge on workers rights, to encourage empowerment amongst workers through that knowledge, to be a safe space for sharing within the community, and for building social justice leaders.
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