With the promise of 35-hour weeks and $10 an hour plus overtime, Edith Mendoza moved to the United States to care for a German diplomat’s family. Instead, she often worked 100 hours per week, had her wages stolen and became seriously ill. Now, in a rare move for a migrant domestic worker, she’s suing her old boss.

Filipina nanny Edith Mendoza moved to the U.S. to care for a German diplomat’s family. She ended up working 100-hour weeks for $4 an hour and becoming seriously ill. She made it out in 2016. Here is her story, in her own words. 

Why combating wage theft—including non-payment, denial of overtime, requiring off-the-clock work and paying below minimum wage—should be a bigger political priority.