Hong Kong-listed Imperial Pacific International (IPI) has promised to “fully litigate” a lawsuit brought upon it by a former Saipan employee who claims she was discriminated against and paid less than colleagues in similar positions due to her Filipino heritage.
Rovie Anne Chopitea filed the lawsuit in the civil court where she is seeking back pay, interest, compensation, damages, court costs and attorney’s fees due to IPI’s “unlawful employment practices, including emotional pain, suffering, inconvenience, loss of enjoyment of life and humiliation.”
According to Ms Chopitea, she was hired by the company to work as a VIP host at its temporary Best Sunshine Live facility in 2015 but was later denied the opportunity to work in the role because she couldn’t speak Chinese. Instead, she was placed into a more junior role and paid just US$9 per hour.
Ms Chopitea was later promoted to shift supervisor and paid US$16.83 per hour before being promised another promotion to shift manager. But she says IPI reneged on that offer, while also paying a colleague in a similar role a much higher wage.
Ms Chopitea is suing Imperial Pacific for discrimination under the Equal Pay Act, accusing her immediate superiors of creating a “hostile working environment” that caused hypertension.
In an official statement in response fo the lawsuit released on Tuesday, IPI said it is “committed to the fair and equitable treatment of all of its employees.
“Imperial Pacific International strongly denies the allegations contained in the lawsuit filed by its former employee, Rovie Anne Chopitea,” it said.
“Imperial Pacific International stands firm that all the allegations are completely unfounded, false, fabricated and meritless. Imperial Pacific International does not condone such practices.
“Therefore, Imperial Pacific International will vigorously contest Ms Chopitea’s claims.
“As the largest private sector employer in the CNMI, Imperial Pacific International will defend its reputation as a good corporate citizen and employer.
“Imperial Pacific International will fully litigate Ms Chopitea’s lawsuit and all other meritless lawsuits.”
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