Most Pinoys in Japan unaware of labor rights - NGO

Most Filipino workers and their counterparts from Burma and Bangladesh often fall victims to abuse and exploitation because they are not aware of their basic labor rights, according to a non-governmental organization that promotes human rights of migrants. The Tokyo-based Asian People's Friendship Society, a group that works for foreigners staying in Japan for the protection of their rights and for the promotion of co-existence, said that in the workshop involving more than 100 Filipino, Bangladeshi and Burmese workers, the APFS found out that most of them don’t know their labor rights. In an email sent to GMANews.TV, the APFS said most Filipino workers followed orders from their employers even if these violated their basic labor rights. The group said that some employers just dismiss their workers without justifiable reasons and some do not pay workers wages and do not shoulder hospital expenses even if workers get injured while at work. Despite these unfair labor practices, foreign workers from the Philippines, Burma and Bangladesh do not complain, the APFS said. “We joined migrant workers to proclaim that we have to fight for justice," the group said. The APFS organized the May Day (Labor Day) activities for migrant workers in Tokyo to promote the implementation of international labor treaties in that part of the world. “We congratulated three Filipino families and one Burmese family for their perseverance. They didn't have valid visas and we had supported them since they surrendered to Japanese Immigration Bureau," the APFS said. “They had been investigated by authorities for a long time, but finally they succeeded in getting the [work] permits! They were very apprehensive then, but now they are relieved. Just think how brave and persevering they are," it added. - Luis Gorgonio, GMANews.TV