A dozen Filipinos have accused a New York-based medical research company of duping them and are seeking special visas so they can legally stay in the United States while they pursue their complaint.
“It was so inviting to get engaged with this clinical research company,” admitted Cleandra Oncines, one of the alleged victims and the group’s spokesperson.
Lawyer Arnedo Valera said the New York Attorney General’s Office is already investigating Care Worldwide Inc. for possible violation of state labor and penal laws.
In its website, Care Worldwide Inc. describes itself as an “international site management organization whose sole purpose is clinical selection, clinical and nonclinical team recruitment to support the successful outcome of clinical trials for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries.”
But Valera said the company collected thousands of dollars from job applicants who were convinced to get additional training, allegedly on the assurance it will help them land jobs.
Oncines, who worked as an auditor for 14 years in the Philippines, was offered a job as clinical associate.
“I’m not a nurse, I have no medical background but based on my experience, I could qualify as a quality assurance manager,” she explained.
“This company promised to process our work visas to get a job. The ultimate goal is to get a green card,” Oncines added.
She got an H-1B visa in March 2010 – even though she didn’t have a job.
The H-1B is a non-immigrant visa which allows employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations.
“There is clear fraudulent transaction involving immigration laws. They were enticed to apply for positions and pay the fees for non-existent jobs,” Valera declared.
“There was a clear violation of H-1B visa regulations,” he stressed.
He explained that during the recruitment, Care Worldwide Inc executives had offered applicants with a company training package for a $3,000 fee.
“That should have been a red flag that there was no legitimate job offer. Those who got H-1B visas were even asked to pay the company which then gave the money back to make it appear they were paid wages and taxes deducted,” Valera charged.
He said the Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) is also looking into possible H-1B visa abuse.
The Filipinos are part of about 40 people (mostly Indian and Nepalese nationals) allegedly victimized by Care Worldwide Inc.
Valera said the New York Attorney General’s Office has taken the cudgels for the alleged victims.
In the meantime, he is helping the Filipino victims secure U visas.
“These victims of labor trafficking should be given temporary relief such as the non-immigrant U visa provided they qualify and cooperate with law enforcement agencies, and should have lawful non-immigrant status while waiting for the pending investigation,” he explained.
While most labor trafficking cases involve Filipinos recruited in the Philippines, this is one of the rare exceptions because this group was recruited while they were already in the US.
Oncines said the company offered to return her money but she refused. She realized that the H-1B visa she was holding wasn't worth the paper it was printed on until she gets a real job.
Is it still ongoing? I just realized that i was also trapped in this situation. Is it for real... because I don't want to be fooled by this company.
ReplyDeleteNEW YORK, NEW YORK -- January 23, 2013
DeleteCARE WORLDWIDE SUES EX-EMPLOYEE AND TWO PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES
In answering a lawsuit by ex-employee Isidra Tuburan and prospective employees Rosalina Quilario and Wendolen Almonte, Care Worldwide, Inc. and Dr. Raina Massey, the president of Care Worldwide, brought a countersuit against the three plaintiffs, seeking $10.5 million from Tuburan for tortious interference of business relations and libel, and $550,000 from Quilario and Almonte for libel.
Care Worldwide is a clinical research company with gross revenues of over $800,000 and more than 200 employees worldwide. Dr. Raina Massey has been the president of Care Worldwide since its inception in 2008. Thanks to the hard working staff of Care Worldwide, the company has received several projects in 2013. These projects have multiple job openings at local and international sites.
Care Worldwide and Dr. Massey allege in their counterclaims that Tuburan engaged in tortious interference of business relations by withholding important correspondence to Care Worldwide from a leading pharmaceutical company, which ended up costing Care Worldwide more than $500,000 in potential contracts. Care Worldwide’s counterclaims also allege that Tuburan sent libelous email correspondence to employees in India, which cost Care Worldwide $10 million dollars in lost revenue. Care Worldwide’s counterclaims also allege that Quilario and Almonte made libelous statements about Massey and Care Worldwide in a broadcast on the Filipino news website Balitang America. Finally, in seeking $550,000 from Quilario and Almonte, the countersuit alleges that Quilario and Almonte sent or caused to be sent by their agents emails to Care Worldwide employees which contained libelous statements about Dr. Massey.
In addition to her work as president of Care Worldwide, Dr. Massey works as a writer of research curriculums. These curriculums have been approved for several training institutes in New Jersey. Dr. Massey is also a founder of the oldest Indian Christian church in New York, and has supported the founding of several churches in New York and in India.
Yes the company does exist, e-verified and does have open positions and work on projects. They are also an OJT site by State as they receive payments for employees from State.
DeleteCompany got OJT approved in 2011, company is paid to train and employ them, they are more focused with unemployed people. This is amazing.
CARE WORLDWIDE SUES EX-EMPLOYEE AND TWO PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES
DeleteI think this is wise step taken by company as we need to recover our loses. Company suffered due to Isidra, Helen - due to her stupidity clinical trials were lost - now claiming U visa - what about 200 employees suffering due to them and this group, we also want justice. Company has work and ready to hire unemployed, assisting ex- prisoners to establish, training them - this is what we need and this company has supported many since beginning, but some people are selfish they channel others for their personal gain.
Yes its true. I am a one more recent victim of this company. we should all take this matter with New York Attorney General office. I am surprised how could this company get up away with so many people been cheated by them. SOME ONE REPORT THIS MATTER AND TAKE ACTION
ReplyDeleteI'm now finding some good lawyer to help me. I don't know what to do and where to start. I'm serious to report this company. I gave them money to do the paper works but did not responded until now..very alarming. Hope someone could help me w/ this matter.
DeleteNEW YORK, NEW YORK -- January 23, 2013
DeleteCARE WORLDWIDE SUES EX-EMPLOYEE AND TWO PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES
In answering a lawsuit by ex-employee Isidra Tuburan and prospective employees Rosalina Quilario and Wendolen Almonte, Care Worldwide, Inc. and Dr. Raina Massey, the president of Care Worldwide, brought a countersuit against the three plaintiffs, seeking $10.5 million from Tuburan for tortious interference of business relations and libel, and $550,000 from Quilario and Almonte for libel.
Care Worldwide is a clinical research company with gross revenues of over $800,000 and more than 200 employees worldwide. Dr. Raina Massey has been the president of Care Worldwide since its inception in 2008. Thanks to the hard working staff of Care Worldwide, the company has received several projects in 2013. These projects have multiple job openings at local and international sites.
Care Worldwide and Dr. Massey allege in their counterclaims that Tuburan engaged in tortious interference of business relations by withholding important correspondence to Care Worldwide from a leading pharmaceutical company, which ended up costing Care Worldwide more than $500,000 in potential contracts. Care Worldwide’s counterclaims also allege that Tuburan sent libelous email correspondence to employees in India, which cost Care Worldwide $10 million dollars in lost revenue. Care Worldwide’s counterclaims also allege that Quilario and Almonte made libelous statements about Massey and Care Worldwide in a broadcast on the Filipino news website Balitang America. Finally, in seeking $550,000 from Quilario and Almonte, the countersuit alleges that Quilario and Almonte sent or caused to be sent by their agents emails to Care Worldwide employees which contained libelous statements about Dr. Massey.
In addition to her work as president of Care Worldwide, Dr. Massey works as a writer of research curriculums. These curriculums have been approved for several training institutes in New Jersey. Dr. Massey is also a founder of the oldest Indian Christian church in New York, and has supported the founding of several churches in New York and in India.
Care Worldwide has successfully sponsored 69 H1B,employed and paid wages as per Labor Condition Approval. They have also claimed a loss of 50,000 per day effective the media articles harmed their business and creating confusion among the current and prospective employees, see this link
Deletehttp://www.myvisajobs.com/Visa-Sponsor/Care-Worldwide-Inc/831853.htm
Care Worldwide employees hired since 2008 speaks - they will join together requesting higher authorities to protect the company and their families from such people who never understood the company, research work - go to
Deletehttp://www.careworldwide.net
Hello I was sponsored with the above group in 2010 who claimed no work in company.I never joined this group, today I am thankful to Care Worldwide & Dr Raina Massey for my job, also bringing my husband and 4 adult children from Philippines. I united with them after 8 yrs. Last year 2012, received three yrs renewal of my H1B. I received W2 salary more than my approved LCA. In this company I got opportunity to work with diverse group belonging from different nationality, students on OPT, residents and citizens of USA. We have many projects this year. Come and meet us in office - 1 973 287 7030 Rosa Ramirez
DeleteYes My name is Ashwin an H1B employee, I have been with Dr Raina Massey since 2006 and then transferred to Care Worldwide in 2008.I avoided the team trying to cause harm to company. I got married in 2011 and was able to bring my wife as dependent as all documents submitted to USCIS were true - company projects- feasibility for clinical trials worth millions from reputable pharma companies, payrolls, corp tax, publications - that today still I am proudly working in this company. I AM THE OLDEST EMPLOYEE OF THE COMPANY. Being a pharmacy graduate I know perfect dealing of research industry. In 2012 Care Worldwide made positive move on medical device projects and working in infectious diseases detection and treatment with several principal investigators, supporting ANDA submissions. Screening clinical and nonclinical team is always ongoing and is always part of any research company. 1 973 287 7030 Ashwin
DeleteHi, Everybody. this lady is a fraud. This company is a fraud. I am one of many that had been promised a job and a work visa. Whatever anyone writes on this talking in favor for the company is part of the fraud and there is no question about that.
ReplyDeleteFraud Fraud Fraud....biggest fraud!
ReplyDelete