RENO, NV — About 160
contract workers from the Philippines have arrived in this “biggest
little city in the world” to work at one of the most modern casino
hotels in the area. Those “kababayan” are, in all likelihood,
representative of what overseas employers in the U.S. look for: some
education, working knowledge of English; young, energetic, can
follow instructions and more. They were hired to perform jobs as
room cleaning aides and kitchen helpers through agencies that
recruit Filipinos for overseas work.
The contract workers have clear-cut contracts: “may” work 32 hours a
week at $8-$9 per hour and “possible” overtime. They came in two
batches, one in October and another in December of 2007, and their
contracts run through July this year. With winter descending on
them, they did not have appropriate clothing nor did they have
minimum housing necessities. Their contract indicated: employer
“will assist in locating housing for employee.”
Not everyone works “32 hours a week,” so whatever was anticipated as
‘income’ is not a given. Accordingly, they were informed that the
job is ‘seasonal’ and that seasonal changes determine the number of
hotel guests, hence the number of rooms that require cleaning and
the nature of kitchen work are dependent on the information
initially given to them:
At least, provisions of the workers’ contract have been upheld. Not
one has complained about working conditions. Of the 160 workers,
more than 60 percent are college graduates; the rest are at least
high school grads with work experience. They are young. Their ages
run from their mid-twenties to mid-thirties; there are more women
than men in the group.
The new casino employees are housed in two-bedroom apartments within
walking distance from their place of work where there are eight to a
unit. Since the apartments are unfurnished, they have no recourse
but sleep on the floor although some kind FilAms have given them
pieces of furniture, not bedroom furniture.
When asked how they came to Reno, the reply was “through employment
agencies.” They had to qualify, go through physical exams and were
interviewed in terms of the future employer’s requirements for those
seeking the stipulated work assignment(s). Their common problem is
how to pay back their indebtedness to the agencies.
This writer was informed that the minimum amount owed by each worker
from their recruiting agency is at least $4,000 which includes the
agency’s recruiting fee and round-trip fare all payable “as soon as
possible.” It doesn’t need a rocket scientist to figure out what
will be left for the individual contract signer, even if the 32-hour
work week is followed, at $8-$9 per hour; there are taxes withheld,
housing costs to share, food and living expenses not to omit meeting
their everyday needs.
Realistically, their personal immediate requisites, which could not
be postponed, focused on how to face the near freezing temperatures.
Word spread around about their predicament.
The one ray of hope open to the contract workers lies in what
opportunities they could avail of while in the country; their
employer allows them to further their skills outside their work
schedules. They are tied to their contract and they cannot be
employed elsewhere because the contract has made it specific that
the employees have but one employer on record. Any violation would
be deemed illegal.
Chris Thomas, a Filipino American information technology manager,
heard about the workers’ plight. He volunteered to meet with them in
several batches and has encouraged them to go for the schooling they
can have in Reno. Almost everyone among the 160 workers listened to
Thomas’ counseling; some have enrolled for courses to enable them to
be Certified Nursing Assistants (CAN) at the local community
colleges. Should they be allowed to remain further in the States,
and receive the required license of that assistantship, they will
then have a “brighter future,” Thomas averred. He likewise warned
them not to do anything “illegal,” i.e., “jumping ship,” because
such an act would subject them to the status of “undocumented
aliens.”
Listening to Thomas’ advice to enroll for a CNA, which can be
attained in a few months. Another, a technology-trained worker,
Albert Joseph J. who has a bachelor’s degree in business
administration, has shown interest in becoming a CNA. Two others
have expressed interest in pursuing the CNA route: Mary Jain V., a
journalism graduate from Centro Escolar University, and Mary Grace
G., who has two college degrees, one in elementary education.
When interviewed, the
employees narrated how they “get along” with their co-workers from
various racial groups and find it amusing because some of their
counterparts are “learning English” from them.
There are very positive reactions from the employees. They are
grateful to the FilAms who responded to them in their hour of need
particularly when the temperatures were in the very low digits,
which they were unprepared for. They chorused how delighted they
were by their initial experiences with the snow, a virtual sign they
said, that they are truly in America. The workers spoke ‘very
confidentially,’ not wishing to give their full names for obvious
reasons. A few stated that they have relatives in the U.S. and
Canada who would be “disappointed” to learn that despite their
college schooling, they accepted to be employed as casino workers.
It was touching when they described their pangs of loneliness away
from home and their loved ones particularly during the holiday
season.
When asked what led them to Reno, their answer was identical: they
referred to the economy in the Philippines where even if they had
sought work and were more than willing to do what they could, they
“couldn’t land any job.” They expressed a sense of hope and optimism
that the kind of schooling and training as described by Chris Thomas
would be the kind of assistance needed to allow them to stay if they
so “qualify.”
This writer is highly impressed by the warm and generous response
from FilAms who did not hesitate to lend their help. May their
following increase.
Gardnervile, NV
The Washoe Tribe Head Start Program would like to
thank its biggest donor of the year, Mr. A. Chris Thomas, for his
outstanding contributions to our program. Mr. Thomas provided over
$8,000 of inkind support for the 2005 year. His professional
expertise in technology enabled the Head Start Program access to the
Internet at the administrative and Dresslerville school sites, by
providing free consultation and connectivity hardware. Mr. Thomas
updated both classroom and administrative staff computers, and
provided professional development training for all Washoe Tribal
Head Start staff on Microsoft programs and operating systems.
Additionally, Mr. Thomas’s
business, Northern California Systems, LLC. permitted Head Start the
use of the domain name, washoetribe.org, and 25 staff email accounts
at no cost, affording the program increased and efficient
communications not only between our funding and governing agencies,
but also linking us with the parents and families involved in our
centers.
Mr. Thomas, Northern
California Systems, LLC. is a valued supporter of the
Washoe Tribe Head Start Program and we are very grateful for his
continued hard work and dedication, thereby assisting Head Start to
accomplish our goal of promoting a successful and quality early
childhood education for our children. Once again, thank you!
The Washoe Tribe
Head Start Program is a Federally-funded program that accepts
all children, regardless of race or ethnicity, from ages 3-5
years from both Douglas and
Carson
Counties. We offer free
bus transportation and meals for our children. The Washoe Tribe Head
Start program is the only
FREE preschool program available to low-income families
in this area.