trafficking

Justice for GIS Filipino Workers: A Report back from the fact finding mission in Louisiana

/ Anakbayan New Jersey / Leave a comment

GISreportback

To rsvp, click here

Last February, delegates from various organizations around New York and New Jersey went to Louisiana as part of a national fact-finding mission to shed light on the horrific situation of Filipino migrant workers at the Grand Isle Shipyard. 

This is part of the nation-wide campaign to seek justice for the Grand Isle Shipyard Filipino workers. Hear their stories and learn how you can help support our brave workers. 

When: April 19 | 6:30pm-9pm 
Where: CUNY Hunter | Room 619HW

*if you’re not a Hunter or CUNY student, please bring an ID. 

For more information about the campaign visit:
http://j4gisfilipinoworkers.wordpress.com/

Organizers: 
– Pilipinos of Hunter (POH)
– Anakbayan (New York & New Jersey Chapter)
– Bagong Alyansang Makabayan – North East Region (BAYAN-USA)
– National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON)

Co-sponsors:
– Philippine Union of La Guardia Student Organization (PULSO)
– Coalition for the Revitalization of Asian American Studies at Hunter (CRAASH)
– Asian American Studies Program at Hunter College (AASP)

– if your organization wants to co-sponsor this event, please email us Yves Nibungco at yvesnibungco@gmail.com or at anakbayan.nynj@gmail.com

Pack the Court! Support the Florida 15 Workers!

/ Anakbayan New Jersey / Leave a comment

 
15 Filipino workers are speaking out against a corrupt recruitment agency that have victimized hundreds of migrant workers. This will be the first court hearing of the Florida 15 workers and it is very important that we show our support for them and for the long struggle for justice! 
 
Come out and show your support on their first court hearing. Let us pack the court!
 
What: Court Hearing and Rally
Where: U.S. Eastern District Court of New York | 225 Cadman Plaza, East Brooklyn
take the A/C to High Street (for directions, click here)
When: September 24, Monday | 3pm
 
For more information contact the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) at ne@nafconusa.org; 
or go directly to Michelle at michelle.saulon@gmail.com or Yves at yvesnibungco@gmail.com
 
For more information about the case click here or here
Inline image 2

Filipino Youth and Community Take A Stand Against Labor Trafficking

/ Anakbayan New Jersey / Leave a comment

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

photos by Cristina Grey Villaflor

Jersey City, NJ-  Activists, students and community members took a stand against labor trafficking after attending the community forum on the case of the Florida 15 workers last April 25 at Saint Peter’s College’s Pope Lecture Hall. The said forum was organized by Anakbayan New Jersey, National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) and the Saint Peter’s College Social Justice Program. 

At the community forum, two of the Florida 15 workers shared their experiences as survivors of labor trafficking. They talked about their recruitment from the Philippines, and the working conditions they endured under San Villa agency in Miami, Florida. They also discussed how this experience has affected their personal lives.
“We didn’t expect to end up like this. It’s been four long years. We miss our families and the children we’ve left behind. But there’s no turning back now. Tuloy ang laban! (the struggle continues!). This is not just for the Forida 15 but for all trafficking victims” said Cecil Delgado, the spokesperson of the Florida 15 workers.
The community forum also discussed the factors that lead to Labor Trafficking such as the Philippine Labor Export Policy. According to Yves Nibungco, current chairperson of Anakbayan NJ, landlessness and lack of job creation in the Philippines, coupled with the government “development” program of exporting Filipinos as commodities, creates the favorable condition for illegal recruitment and labor exploitation to thrive.
“In order for us to fully stop labor trafficking, we must fight against the Philippine government’s Labor Export Policy. Only by genuinely creating jobs at home through national industrialization and agrarian reform can we eliminate labor trafficking” said Yves Nibungco. “We call on the Filipino youth and students to stand up for our kababayans. Take a stand against labor trafficking and the Philippine labor export policy,” added Mr. Nibungco.
Jonna Baldres, Deputy Secretary General of the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns talked about their current “Stop Trafficking Our People” campaign or STOP. NAFCON North East region will be organizing a community task force to pull resources and effort together. She called on the Filipino community to unite and join the struggle against labor trafficking.
The forum ended with a group photo and a community chant saying: “Stop, stop trafficking our people!.”