Filipino teachers in US win case vs agency

CHICAGO – Some 200 Filipino teachers in Louisiana scored a legal victory Friday after the state’s labor department ordered their Philippines-based recruitment agency to pay about $1.8 million in illegally charged placement fees. The Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) ordered Universal Placement International (UPI) (UPI), which has a satellite office in Los Angeles, and its owner Lourdes Navarro to pay an estimated $1.8 million for unlawful placement fees, as well as fine of $500 and $7,500 in attorney’s fees. The recruitment agency was also charged for holding the Filipino teachers in virtual servitude after it kept their visas, according to a decision by Administrative Law Judge Shelly Dick of the LWC. Dick ruled in favor of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers (LFT), the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the Filipino teachers, and referred the case to authorities for criminal sanctions against UPI and its owner. “This is more than just a victory for the Filipino teachers who were abused by the company. It is a validation of the rule of law, and a commitment by the State of Louisiana to protect the rights of all working people," said LFT president Steve Monaghan in a release. False promises The allegations against Navarro were filed October last year on behalf of 360 Filipinos teachers who were hired in Caddo Parish, East Baton Rouge Parish, Jefferson Parish and the State Recovery School. Some of those teachers arrived in the US to find that the promised jobs were not available. Some ended up in Avoyelles Parish and other school districts around the state. Based on the complaint, each teacher was charged about $5,000 by Navarro in placement fees to obtain a job, and was then required to sign a contract obligating them to pay 10 percent of their salaries on the second year to the company. The contracts call for payment of 10 percent of expected salaries each to UPI and its sister company PARS International Placement Agency before they come to the US, a $1,000 application fee, and $3,900 in fees to secure a visa and pay an attorney and several hundred dollars to evaluate their transcripts. Those who could not afford to pay the fees up front were then directed to loan companies by Navarro, and were charged exorbitant interest rates. “The LWC’s decision goes a long way in relieving these excellent teachers from an illegal and oppressive relationship. This ruling will allow them to freely pursue their personal and professional aspirations," said AFT lawyer Dan McNeil. Defense During the trial, Jack Navarro, the husband of the UPI owner, testified that they were aware that the teachers were paying more than they should. He, however, said that they were willing to make some adjustments if only the teachers asked for some. He blamed the LFT for not allowing the teachers to communicate with UPI. UPI was found to have been operating in Louisiana without a proper license, but Navarro said they applied for a license but it was rejected. “We are not an employment agency. We are a placement agency," he clarified. – KBK/GMANews.TV