TWO FILIPINO CAREGIVERS, Georgia Danan and Balbert Quintas, are fighting for the most basic worker's right – to get paid for work they performed.
Georgia and Balbert both worked as caregivers for Mt. Sinai, a home healthcare agency, in Los Angeles owned by Lovelyn Labadlabad Roldan. With the help of the Pilipino Workers' Center and the Association of Filipino Workers, they both brought their cases against Mt. Sinai to the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE). DLSE ordered that Mt. Sinai owes Georgia and Balbert over $25,000 in wages and penalties combined. However, Lovelyn Labadlabad Roldan still refuses to pay them.
Ms. Danan and Mr. Quintas’ cases are a part of a larger effort to improve working conditions for caregivers called “Caregivers Organizing for Unity, Respect, and Genuine Empowerment” (C.O.U.R.A.G.E. Campaign). This campaign highlights specific cases such as Georgia’s case and Balbert’s case to hold employers accountable to workers’ rights. By participating in the campaign, caregivers can educate themselves about their rights and how to join with other caregivers and Filipinos to protect themselves, to make changes in the caregiver industry, and to become empowered.
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