The punitive lawsuit against Mr. Charles Hector only accentuates the harsh reality of Burmese migrant workers in Malaysia, who do not speak the local language, face exploiting and indifferent employers and agents, unhelpful embassies, limited access to justice and collective bargaining and insufficient monitoring and protection from the authorities. Mr. Charles Hector advocates through a credible channel on complaints of rights abuses to the public and expresses the growing concern of conditions for millions of workers.

One of the horrified passersby who witnessed this scene was another Rose, Rose Schneiderman. An immigrant like Rosie, Rose taught herself English while working in a sweatshop then began a life as an organizer for the International Ladies Garment Workers Union. She joined forces with the social reformer Frances Perkins (both are pictured in the eighth panel with the fire in the background), to press for the work protections we have come until recently to take for granted—limits on the length of the work week, restrictions on child labor, minimum wage, worker’s compensation, rules to assure a safe and healthful work environment. It was Rose Schneiderman who said, “What the woman who labors wants is the right to live, not simply exist. . . .

You can also check out this short video clip from Free2Work that walks through the Android app.

Finally, this video from Free2Work that explains the overall project.

Although the rally was largely organized in light of the most recent attacks on US labor rights, the commitment to recognize a diverse group of individuals was evident. Participants could be heard chanting “The people, united, will never be defeated!” and held signs that read “I am a woman, I am a worker, we are one” and “I am a man, I am a worker, we are one”. A school teacher and a nurse were among those called to the stage to share their story, and the effect the latest attack on their rights will have on them and those they interact with on the job.