ACT NOW for Filipino Migrant Teachers in…

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Dear Friends,
We just launched a petition in support of the Prince George’s County Public School Systems’ migrant teachers, the majority of whom come from the Philippines. As the final decision can occur anytime from now until August 5, 2011, there is an immediate need to generate pressure on the DOL.  We are hoping to get 5000 signature by August 5. Please forward to your friends, family, networks, unions, church, immigrant rights groups, etc.  Please target US based folks.
The petition can be found here:
http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-dol-their-protection-of-pgc-public-school-system-teachers-gets-a-failing-grade
Attached is a primer that Katarungan created on the issue.
Other actions you can take:
1. A Letter of support from your organization to the PGCPS Teachers for upcoming mobilizations schedule in the next few days:
a) July 29: protest in front of the Department of Labor in Washington, DC (for the 3rd week in a row)
b) July 30: Save our Schools March in Washington, DC (click here for more info)
c) Aug 1: protest at DHS Washington, DC
2. Contact your Congress person and Senator to pressure them to question DOL’s actions on this matter. You can base the wording from the petition letter. You can use the tool from Immigrationvoice.org to assist you in figuring out who your representatives are and how to contact them.
3. Go to news.google.com and search for this topic (key words, PG County Teachers, Pilipino Educators Network). Put comments on articles you find. Write to the editors.
In Solidarity,
Katrina Abarcar
Katarungan: Center for Peace, Justice and Human Rights in the Philippines

Migrant Filipino Teachers of PG County, MD: A Primer On Their Struggle for Justice

The recent settlement agreement between the U.S. Department of Labor and PG County Public Schools (PGCPS) pushed hundreds of Filipino migrant teachers Filipino migrant teachers and their supporters to demonstrate in front of the DOL’s main headquarters in Washington, DC two weeks in a row. In April, the DOL determined that PGCPS had willfully violated laws that govern the H‐1B temporary foreign worker visa program. DOL’s investigation discovered that foreign teachers <http://www.penusa.org/> were, in effect, underpaid because they were required to provide for fees that are the responsibility of the employer. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, in a self‐congratulatory manner, celebrated the settlement agreement reached on July 7, 2011 as a victory for the protection of workers’ rights. Many teachers affected by the settlement see it differently. Included in the settlement, PGCPS had agreed to be debarred for two years from filing new petitions, requests for extensions or requests for permanent residency for foreign workers under any employment ‐based visa program. As a result, although 1000+ foreign teachers stand to gain an average payout of $4,044, hundreds have or will see their contracts terminated, and could face deportation or become undocumented. A PGCPS spokesperson acknowledged the contribution and value these teachers brought to the school system and expressed disappointment with the decision but in the same breath admitted it was too costly to continue to sponsor foreign teachers. In June, given a decreased budget, PGCPS faced the decision to cut as many as 700 teaching positions. They were able to encourage more than 500 teachersto accept an early retirement deal leaving around 200 jobs to cut. This is about the same number of foreign teachers whose jobs are immediately impacted by the settlement. The PGCPS spokesperson said, “This decision is in the best interest of our school district and marks the end of a challenging chapter in our school district’s efforts to meet the mandates of the federal government’s No Child Left Behind Act.” But how is cutting the highly qualified migrant teachers brought to PG county to raise the quality of education and with a track record of positive results and dedication supposed to be in the best interest of the students and their families? The PGCPS feels ” now it is time for us to move forward ,” but for the teachers who have gotten the short end of the stick, “moving on” is not an option. The costs they incurred to come to the US both financially and emotionally as well as the economic prospects awaiting them in the Philippines are pushing the teachers to fight for their interests since neither party engaged in settling the issue had the teachers’ best interests at heart. The teachers are not alone in their struggle. The Filipino American community in the DC/MD/VA are has rallied around them. The Philippine embassy has been voicing their plans to exert diplomatic efforts to assist the teachers in their quest to stay. As one of the supporters of these teachers, Katarungan strongly advises the embassy to also advertise, mobilize, and make easily accessible the appropriate resources and programs in place for these “modern Filipino heroes” so that any teacher that chooses to return or is forced to return to the Philippines is properly supported. Katarungan is not blind to the fact that the Philippine government, even under President Aquino, has used Filipino OCWs and im/migrants the world over to prop up the ailing economy through state exactions and remittances. Instead of relying on a labor export policy with unacceptable social costs, the Philippine government should genuinely focus on providing decent and competitive jobs in the Philippines. In the coming weeks, the teachers and their supporters vow to escalate protests, educate and form solidarity with fellow teachers, their students and the broader public for their struggle. Katarungan vows to exert maximum efforts for this cause and predicts that this struggle may unfortunately be a precursor to more Filipino migrant teachers in other cities losing their jobs in a like manner as the economic crisis in the US continues. There is estimated to be over 19,000 migrant teachers in the US. The majority of these teachers are Filipinos.

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Useful contacts to learn more about the issue:

PEN

‐USA (Pilipino Educators Network)

The Pilipino Educators Network is a dynamic alliance of Filipino educators in in Prince George’s County,

Maryland geared towards the advancement of professional excellence and advocacy of Filipino heritage.

PEN is a public voice of Filipino educators that provides leadership and networking opportunities. It

establishes means for mutual assistance, collaboration, and cooperation and initiates programs and

activities, which promote Philippine culture and traditions.

Website: http://www.pen‐usa.org/

Contact person name: Mr. Carlo Parapara

Email: cbparapara@yahoo.com

Katarungan: Center for Peace, Justice and Human Rights in the Philippines

KATARUNGAN was formed in 2006 in response to the international campaign to stop the extra‐judicial

killings and other human rights violations in the Philippines. Since then, it has transformed from an adhoc

committee to a center that would promote peace, justice, and human rights in the Philippines through research, education and grassroots advocacy.

Website: http://www.katarungan‐dc.org/

Contact person name: Jo Quiambao

Email: katarungan2009@gmail.com