On this labour day, the Migrants Resource Centre Canada stands in solidarity with workers across the country, fighting all forms of abuse and exploitation. Taking its roots from the historical struggles of railway workers in the US, this year’s Labour Day marks a significant time in Canada’s working-class movement with workers across various sectors demanding increased wages, extended benefits for part-time workers, and an end to uncompensated work and ensuring paid sick days, among many others. Migrant workers from coast to coast have continued to raise their demands to end all forms of abuse, including wage theft, labor trafficking, and their right to decent and dignified work.
These successive workers strikes and actions have given a forward momentum for many more workers and workplaces in demanding better work environment and even creating a shift in fighting against anti worker labor relations today.
As a migrant service institution, we recognize our important role in strengthening the workers’ movement in Canada through campaigns, advocacy, and training individual workers that come through our doors to see their rightful place in collective struggles. We reiterate the demands laid out by the IIMA Canada International Migrants Alliance – Canada Chapterin its call to stop the immigration Bill C-2. This repressive immigration policy, if enacted, will only further criminalize migrants and refugees, instead of addressing the real issue of abuse, exploitation, and the ongoing
economic crisis brought on by neoliberal policies. We stand in resistance and condemn the war of hate against migrants. We call on stronger solidarity among all migrant workers fighting for their right to migrate as well as the right to stay at home in dignity and peace.