Workers air labor grievances

Some 10 Chinese workers trooped to the Governor’s Office yesterday to air their grievances against their employer’s alleged labor violations.

The workers complained of unpaid wages owed them by American Lagente Corp., which does business as Tom’s Tofu. One of the workers held up a placard that expressed their sentiments.

Gov. Juan N. Babauta, who had just come from a news briefing, accommodated the workers and met with them. His legal counsel and press secretary, Steven Newman and Pete Callaghan, respectively, were also present.

Callaghan said attorney general Pamela Brown also met with the workers.

“They are frustrated,” said Callaghan, relating the workers’ complaint of back wages that were supposedly due as early as 2001.

Callaghan said the Department of Labor is already conducting an investigation into the company’s alleged labor violations.