PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Tatiana Vicolina, Hotel Worker from HHI Company
3:14:10
·
121 sec
Tatiana Vicolina, an immigrant and LGBT asylum seeker from Russia, shares her positive experience working for HHI, a hotel housekeeping company. She expresses gratitude for the job opportunity and career growth she has experienced, emphasizing the importance of her current position for her safety and livelihood in the United States.
- Vicolina struggled to find employment initially due to lack of U.S. experience, despite having hospitality experience in Russia
- She was hired by HHI as a room attendant and quickly promoted to supervisor and then manager
- Vicolina fears losing her job could result in financial instability and potentially having to return to Russia, where being LGBT is against the law
Tatiana Vicolina
3:14:10
Good afternoon.
3:14:11
My name is Tatiana Viculina.
3:14:14
I'm an immigrant and an employee of HHI company, hotel housekeeping company.
3:14:20
I want to express my immense gratitude for the opportunities the company has provided me.
3:14:26
I moved to the United States 2 years ago because I was in danger in Russia as an LGBT person.
3:14:34
I applied for asylum, received work authorization and Social Security number, and began looking for a job.
3:14:41
However, no one wanted to hire me Due to my lack of experience and education in the United States, back in Russia, I held a university degree in hospitality and had worked as a hotel manager for 12 years.
3:14:56
But in New York, I couldn't even find the position as a room attendant.
3:15:01
I spent all my savings and was desperate when finally HHI offered me a job and the opportunity to join their team as a room attendant.
3:15:11
Very soon, I was promoted to supervisor, and after a year, I was made a manager.
3:15:17
And now I can help other employees to learn and to grow.
3:15:22
HHI has given me confidence security, and a sense of belonging in this new society.
3:15:30
However, if I lose this job, I'm uncertain about my future I worked incredibly hard to achieve what I have.
3:15:41
I can imagine going through this struggle again.
3:15:45
I'm afraid I won't have enough money to pay my rent and without a job, I would probably I would have to return to Russia where being an LGBT person is against the law.
3:15:59
I'm truly scared of this situation.
3:16:02
I'm pleading with you not to really my opportunity to continue working at HHI Company.
3:16:10
Thank you.
