Agreement Will Strengthen Collaboration Aimed at Educating Immigrant Workers on Their Rights Under U.S. Anti-Discrimination Laws

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines recently signed a national Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The agreement is designed to further strengthen their collaborative efforts to provide immigrant, migrant and otherwise vulnerable Filipino workers and their employers with guidance and information and access to education about their rights and responsibilities under the laws enforced by the EEOC.

"We are pleased to enter into this important partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines in order to enhance the EEOC's efforts to reach and educate Filipino workers throughout the United States about their workplace rights," said EEOC Chair Jenny Yang. "The EEOC is committed to stopping and remedying unlawful employment discrimination against immigrant, migrant and other vulnerable workers."

Philippine Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. said, "We are pleased at being able to formalize our alliance with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and collaborate closely towards ensuring that Filipino nationals working in the United States are accorded equal opportunities at their workplace."

This national MOU exemplifies the overall intent of the EEOC and the Philippine Embassy to continue the efforts to assist the Philippine community. Under the national framework of the MOU, the two entities will cooperate to provide outreach and training, as well as assist with enforcement efforts as needed.

Chair Yang and Ambassador Cuisia signed the MOU today at EEOC Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

The EEOC is the federal agency that enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Further information about the EEOC is available on the agency's website at www.eeoc.gov.