Unpaid wages and a sudden dismissal
Practise interpreting a lawyer and a worker between English and Filipino: 11 segments, about 300 English words. Read each segment, say your interpretation aloud, then open the model.
Scene. A Filipino-speaking worker sees a lawyer at a community legal centre after losing her job.
Original Filipino practice, written with AI. The real CCL is audio, so pair this with listening practice. Scenes are made up: names, prices and rules in them are for practice, not advice.
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1LawyerEnglish
Thanks for coming in. I've read your notes. You worked as a cleaner for a contractor for two years, and last Friday you were told not to come back. Is that right?
Model interpretation into Filipino
Salamat po sa pagpunta. Nabasa ko na ang inyong mga tala. Dalawang taon kayong nagtrabaho bilang cleaner para sa isang contractor, at noong Biyernes ay sinabihan kayong huwag nang bumalik. Tama po ba?
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2WorkerFilipino
Opo. Sinabi lang ng supervisor sa text na wala na raw akong shift. Walang paliwanag. Isang araw bago noon, nagreklamo ako na kulang ang bayad sa amin.
Model interpretation into English
Yes. The supervisor just told me by text that I had no more shifts. No explanation. The day before, I had complained that we were being underpaid.
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3LawyerEnglish
That timing matters. Being dismissed because you raised a complaint about pay may be unlawful. There are strict time limits, so we need to act quickly. Do you still have that text message?
Model interpretation into Filipino
Mahalaga ang tiyempong iyan. Maaaring labag sa batas ang pagtanggal sa inyo dahil nagreklamo kayo tungkol sa sahod. May mahigpit na palugit na panahon, kaya kailangan nating kumilos agad. Nasa inyo pa po ba ang text na iyon?
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4WorkerFilipino
Nandito po sa cellphone ko. Pati ang mga mensahe ko sa supervisor tungkol sa sahod, naka-screenshot ko lahat. Labing-walong dolyar lang ang bayad sa amin kada oras.
Model interpretation into English
It's here on my phone. I've also screenshotted all my messages to the supervisor about pay. They only paid us eighteen dollars an hour.
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5LawyerEnglish
Please send me all of those. Eighteen dollars an hour is likely below the minimum for cleaners. We may be able to claim back the unpaid wages as well as challenge the dismissal.
Model interpretation into Filipino
Ipadala po ninyo sa akin ang lahat ng iyan. Malamang mas mababa ang labing-walong dolyar kada oras kaysa sa minimum para sa mga cleaner. Baka mabawi rin natin ang hindi naibayad na sahod, bukod sa paghahabol sa pagtanggal sa inyo.
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6WorkerFilipino
Natatakot po ako. Nasa student visa pa ako. Kung magreklamo ako, baka magkaproblema ako sa visa ko?
Model interpretation into English
I'm scared. I'm still on a student visa. If I make a complaint, could I get into trouble with my visa?
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7LawyerEnglish
That's a common worry. Workplace laws protect visa holders too, and there are arrangements that support workers on visas who speak up. I'll explain those in writing so you can read them at home.
Model interpretation into Filipino
Karaniwang alalahanin po iyan. Pinoprotektahan din ng mga batas sa trabaho ang mga may hawak ng visa, at may mga patakarang sumusuporta sa mga manggagawang naka-visa na nagsasalita tungkol sa problema. Ipapaliwanag ko po iyan nang nakasulat para mabasa ninyo sa bahay.
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8WorkerFilipino
Salamat po. Magkano po ang kailangan kong bayaran sa inyo? Wala akong trabaho ngayon at may upa pa akong binabayaran.
Model interpretation into English
Thank you. How much will I need to pay you? I have no job right now and I still have rent to pay.
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9LawyerEnglish
Our service is free. I'll prepare the application this week and we'll lodge it together on Monday. In the meantime, write down everything you remember about your shifts and pay.
Model interpretation into Filipino
Libre po ang aming serbisyo. Ihahanda ko ang aplikasyon ngayong linggo, at sabay nating ipapasa ito sa Lunes. Habang naghihintay, isulat ninyo ang lahat ng naaalala ninyo tungkol sa inyong mga shift at sahod.
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10WorkerFilipino
Sige po. Kailangan ko bang humarap sa dati kong amo? Ayoko na sana siyang makita ulit.
Model interpretation into English
OK. Will I have to face my old boss? I'd rather not see him again.
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11LawyerEnglish
There's usually a conference first, often by phone or video. I'll be there with you, and an interpreter can join. Many cases settle at that stage.
Model interpretation into Filipino
Karaniwang may conference muna, kadalasan sa telepono o video. Kasama ninyo ako roon, at puwedeng sumali ang isang interpreter. Maraming kaso ang naaayos na sa yugtong iyon.