The Worker Support & Organizing program serves low wage Filipino workers with an emphasis on Filipino caregivers. This program provides services and leadership development for low wage workers to help them stabilize their economic situation and improve working and living conditions.

The Peoples Association of Workers & Immigrants (PAWIS)
PAWIS (Tagalog for “sweat”) began in 2002 to support Oakland airport workers and evolved into an organization that provides comprehensive support for low-wage Filipino immigrants and workers.  Though the membership is primarily Filipino caregivers, all low-wage workers are invited to join!

Kapehan (“Coffee shop”)
PAWIS members have kapehan meetings every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month from 2 – 3:30pm in San Leandro.  At Kapehan meetings, members support and get to know each other by sharing recent work and life experiences and help each other understand and defend their rights. For meeting location, email kjoaquin [at] filipinos4justice.org.

PAWIS members at a kapehan role play negotiating a contract that includes minimum wage and overtime.

PAWIS activities include kapehan gatherings, monthly leadership development trainings, and wage claim campaigns.  Members become stronger individuals, “wage claim counselors” for other workers and active leaders that are confident in their ability to win better living and working conditions.  In 2011, workers successfully recovered over $100,000 in back wages.

PAWIS members are also working with the California Domestic Workers Coalition to win a CA Domestic Worker Bill of Rights.