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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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7

Filipino Teachers Brought to US in 'Virtual Servitude'

Union alleges scheme to exploit poor educators

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(Newser) – A federal complaint filed by the American Federation of Teachers alleges a scheme to bring Filipino teachers to the US essentially as indentured servants. Two recruiting companies, run by siblings in the Philippines and Los Angeles, are accused of exploiting 300 Filipino teachers by arranging visas and jobs in Louisiana. But they charged an ever-escalating series of hidden fees that put the teachers deeper in debt with no way out in a foreign country, reports USA Today.

The companies, PARS International Placement and Universal Placement International, helped the teachers get their coveted H-1B visas, then held onto them and forced the teachers to pay thousands in fees and inflated rent, the AFT complaint alleges. It uses the term "virtual servitude." The complaint seeks action against the firms, but it also could result in serious repercussions for school districts who turned a blind eye to the abuses.

A federal complaint says Filipino teachers were exploited after accepting jobs in the US.
A federal complaint says Filipino teachers were exploited after accepting jobs in the US.   (Shutter Stock)
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I'm very concerned that there are more places like this. Even if it was an isolated incident, it would be horrible, but my hunch right now is that it's not isolated. - AFT chief Randi Weingarten

Here's an opportunity for you to grow and pursue your dreams, get a better profession and a better opportunity for your kids. It would be impractical not to go for it.
- Ingrid Cruz, teacher

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7 comments
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Netstorm2k9
Oct 28, 09 5:22 PM CDT
The Chinese mafia could learn a thing from these guys. Reply
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jeebus
Oct 28, 09 5:23 PM CDT
Call it what it is, f*cking slavery. Reply
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+1
guanlob
Oct 28, 09 6:11 PM CDT
Reply
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Netstorm2k9
Oct 29, 09 10:46 AM CDT
I agree!
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freethemall
Oct 28, 09 6:30 PM CDT
This is just the latest example of how immigration, both legal and illegal, plus globalization, has undermined the hard earned rights of the working class in this nation, that for a time were lifted into the economic middle class via the labor union movement. Now understand, I am not against immigration nor globalization, if they are achieved in a manner that does NOT, result in the undermining of worker's rights, that were so dearly fought for. The working class of this nation needs to wake up and understand this, or they will continue to lose out. Is this class warfare? YES IT IS!!! Politics has been defined as a struggle for power and influence in society. In other words, CLASS WARFARE! Those of us who are not part of the privileged minority had better wake up, and figure out which side we are on. Understand this is a battle that is to be fought with ballots, not bullets. One last point: this is not a battle on which one side is ethnic minorities and the other side is white people. Our political opponents want to keep us divided by race, but the truth is that most of the economically deprived are of European descent, though Latinos and those of African descent are disproportionately effected by this assault on the working and middle classes. Reply
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