Aguon wrote the letter to Roque on the heels of a complaint filed by nine H-2 workers, who left Guam Thursday night after reluctantly accepting a meager amount of cash from Base Corporation, their former employer, whom they accused of making illegal salary deductions and illegal contract termination.
With the island preparing for a massive increase in military realignment activities and a critical need for skilled workers, thousands of whom are expected to come to Guam over the next several years, Aguon urged in his letter that the “Philippine government to take a proactive stance” to protect its people.
“It is critical that a Philippine representative with labor and welfare expertise can assist workers in their need as they adjust to their new living and working environment,” said Aguon, chairman for the Committee on Economic Development, Health & Human Services, and Judiciary.
Aguon told Roque about the recent incident involving the “inappropriate garnishment of wages, unpaid reimbursement of airfare to Guam, unsatisfactory working conditions and violations of terms of employment” H-2 laborers from the Philippines suffered during a stint with Base Corp.
Nine of 12 workers were scheduled to be sent back home after they raised questions about the illegal wage deductions and other concerns involving their contract renewals.
While three of their colleagues returned to the Philippines immediately, nine workers remained behind to file an official complaint with the federal and local labor offices.
Caught without local support or resources, with the aid of local advocate Felix Aguon the workers’ plight made headlines and spurred Base Corp. management to offer the aggrieved employees a pittance of what they are entitled to, on the condition they leave Guam immediately. The nine workers have already left the island.
“In pursuit of their attempt to get a fair determination on their complaint, I saw the H2B laborers struggle in expressing themselves and represent their complaint in a less emotional way,” said Aguon. “The workers were sent back to Philippines but this is not the ending that we want to see for every problem that we will encounter concerning Filipino workers.”
The senator also stated that he would be greatly appreciative if the Philippine government could immediately respond to his request that a labor representative be sent to the island to assist Filipino overseas workers “should the need arise.”
