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Story of haunted pregnant woman potato packer Angelica of Bronx:Light on in-service maternity issues This month marks the first anniversary of Pregnant Workers Fairness Act , that was signed in to law by former Mayor of New York City, Michael R. Bloomberg on October 02, 2013 (incidentally the birth anniversary of Father of Indian nation, Mahatma Gandhiji); which came in to force this January represents a big step forward for working women. It mandates employers to provide suitable shelter for pregnant women in work places, water breaks, light duty and modified work schedules to help particularly low income women who some times get pushed out of jobs and in to poverty, when they become pregnant. Officials from the Human Rights Commission that enforces the law have been in dialogue of with a cross section of society that includes women, nurses, doctors, employers (to let them know their obligations) and women employee ( to bring awareness on their rights). But here is the case of Angelica Valencia , 39 a three months pregnant woman who travels in crowded buses and on the sub way train from her home in Queens in to Bronx where she works in a potato packing plant. She had a miscarriage last year and so doctors instructed her work just 8 hours with no over time as she is of high risk. She punched at 7.30AM on August 8, 2014 as usual and gave the doctor's note to her manager of the Fireman Produce Exchange. Since it is a busy season, her bosses told her that she has to work over time. She has been working here last 3 years earning $ 8.70 an hour and her husband a driver with private bus company depend on their wages to meet their livelihood. She says she has been ignorant of this new law and neither her employer briefed her about her rights which they ought to have brought her to be aware. It was a bolt in blue for her when at 9.30 AM she was given a hand written note by Bob Ferla, the Operations Manager that she has to work over time due to busy season and unfortunately, we as a company are not able to allow you to continue to work at the fast paced work place".The letter insisted that she submit a letter from the doctor certifying total rest if she has to continue to work. Despite she begging her bosses, they stuck to their guns, so she had to return the identity badge, wept and traveled long to reach home. Such stray incidents are uncommon here despite Laws and enactments. Dina Bakst,, co-President of an out fit Better Balance, the legal advocacy group that resolved few such cases like that of Sonica Smith, Floralba Fernandez Espinal etc took up the case of Angelica who expects to get a positive outcome with her lost wages recouped. Ferla, the Operations Manager when contacted this Friday said that the case is referred to the legal counsel. Meanwhile Angelica is expecting a girl . She is confident that the law is on her side. I am sure that her stand gets vindicated. Shalu and every one.. please join me in my prayers for the best to happen to Angelica. God bless her with the best. THANKS. . FACTS SUSTAIN.TRUTH PREVAILS.I FOLLOW LORD KRISHNA's 108 COUNT. AFTER THAT NO MORE. |
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