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Roshi’s sued for violation of labor laws
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Posted on Oct 11 1999
Roshi’s Variety Store and its owners have been sued by their former employee for alleged violation of local and federal labor laws.
Elvira Estrella, a native of the Philippines, filed the complaint against Madhavadas Daryanani and Padma Daryanani at the US District Court on Friday.
The complaint seeks to recover unpaid regular wages, overtime compensation, and liquidated damages.
Her attorney V.K Sawney said Roshi’s owners made Estrella work more than 40 hours a week and seven days a week for seven years without giving her the corresponding overtime pay.
Roshi’s and its owners were charged with violation of the Federal Labor Standards Act and the CNMI’s Nonresident Workers Act.
The complaint alleged that the defendants prepared “false” time cards for Estrella based on a 40-hour work a week to reflect payment of the minimum wage then in effect in the CNMI.
Estrella’s monthly pay checks were prepared based on the falsified time cards.
Estrella was hired by the Daryananis in Oct. 1992. She initially received the minimum salary of $200 per month, which was raised to $250 beginning January 1995. Estrella had since received this rate until she resigned in August 1999.
Although she was hired as house worker, the complaint said, Estrella was also forced to work as a store keeper, commercial cleaner, and sales clerk in violation of terms stipulated in the employment contract as well as the local labor law. (MCM)
