US labor issues and workers’ rights explained to Filipino expats

Representatives from key US Department of Labor agencies in the Bay Area join Philippine Consulate officials at the Talakayan at the Consulate General. From left to right: Atty. Linda Ordonio-Dixon, Senior Trial Attorney from EEOC, Director David Shiraishi, Area Director (Oakland) from OSHA, Deputy Consul General Jaime Ramon Ascalon, Community Outreach Specialist Demetria Manuselis from the Wage and Hour Division, and Mr. Keith Young, Business Services Representative of San Mateo County.

SAN FRANCISCO — American labor and employment issues were the topics at the Talakayan sa Konsulado on US Labor Week held at the Philippine Consulate recently.

Guests from agencies of the US Department of Labor explained how they could protect and promote the labor rights of the Filipino community members and assist them in finding jobs.

Talakayan is a regular forum at the consulate co-sponsored with the Philippine American Press Club. The labor forum was organized in cooperation with US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in San Francisco, the Occupational Safety and Hazards Administration Regional Office (OSHA), the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) and the Business Services Representative of San Mateo County.

After the forum, the speakers manned their respective information tables at the Philippine Center lobby and gave out information flyers, brochures and provided free consultations those who had labor issues.

Keith Young, Business Services Representative from San Mateo County Government provided information and counseling on job opportunities in the San Mateo County.

“The Philippine Consulate Generalis indeed fortunate to be working with dedicated officials of US Department of Labor and other agencies in promoting the workplace rights of our countrymen,” said Philippine Consul General to San Francisco Henry S. Bensurto, Jr.”

Director Susana Blanco, of the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division San Francisco District Office, added that “our agency looks to continued collaboration with the Philippine Consulate’s celebration of Labor Rights Week.  We want to ensure that all workers understand their rights in the workplace and know that it is our mission to enhance and protect the welfare of the nation’s workforce.”

District Director Michael Baldonado, of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s San Francisco District Office, echoed that “EEOC is deeply honored to participate at the Philippine Consulate’s celebration of Labor Rights Week.  We want to ensure that all workers understand their rights – mga karapatan ng manggaggawa – and know to report employment discrimination and harassment to the EEOC.”