By Henni Espinosa, ABS-CBN North American Bureau

SAN FRANCISCO - On International Human Rights Day, Filipino caregivers and their advocates held a press conference this morning at the Filipino Community Center (FCC) to announce a major victory.

65-year old Victoria Aquino and 56-year old Lourdes Torres won a settlement against their employer, Parks Family Rest Home, of $71,000 in back wages and penalties.

Aquino and Torres received their checks from Marci Seville, Director of the Women’s Employment Rights Clinic (WERC), a nonprofit organization helping abused caregivers. WATCH HERE

Aquino, who received $60,000 said, “We have waited so long to get paid properly. “

Torres began working for the same care home in 2009. She received $11,000 from the settlement. She said, “We were responsible for everything — the patients, the cooking, the laundry. It was hard work.”

Aquino and Torres sought help from the FCC and found the support of the Women’s Employment Rights Clinic. They won an initial victory in April 2010 when their work hours were reduced from 14 hours to 8 hours a day, with no reduction in pay.
Torres said, “All of us caregivers should unite. We need to work together and fight for our rights.”

Advocates said this is more than just a workers’ rights issue, this is also a patient care issue. They said if workers are overworked and exhausted, patient care is compromised.

They are calling on the government to impose stricter guidelines in the workplace to make sure rights for all are upheld.

If you feel you are an abused caregiver and want to know your rights as a worker, you may contact the Filipino Community Center at (415) 333-6267.

.