Foreign remote intern unpaid stipend — contract says Delaware courts/US law. Does that matter?

Editable Flair (not working in mobile app)

Hi everyone, I’m looking for general guidance.
I’m based in the Philippines and entered into a remote internship/contractor arrangement with a foreign company that appears to be connected to India. My agreement says I am a Business Analyst Intern/Contractor and includes a clause stating that I am eligible to receive PHP 10,000 monthly contractual compensation, payable on the 1st of each calendar month.

From March to May, I received PHP 10,000 monthly, although the payments were delayed. I have not received my June compensation yet, and HR has not given me a clear response.

The confusing part is that the agreement also contains a clause saying the contract is governed by US law and that disputes are under the exclusive jurisdiction of Delaware courts. I am not in the US, the payment is in Philippine pesos, and the company appears to be based/operating outside the US.

My questions are:
Does a Delaware jurisdiction clause matter if neither party is physically in Delaware?

Is it realistic to pursue a small unpaid stipend claim through Delaware courts?

Could the clause prevent me from seeking help through Philippine or Indian grievance channels?

Would this likely be treated as a contract issue rather than a labor issue in the US context?

I’m not naming the company publicly. I just want to understand whether the US/Delaware clause has any practical effect before I escalate.
Thank you.

Posted Jun 8, 2026, 4:32 PM UTC

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