The Conservative government has given employers in Canada more rein to exploit migrants. Employers can now pay migrant workers 15% below the average wage. This is an outrage! To discriminate on wages simply on the basis of nationality is unfair. Considering that most migrant workers are people of colour, this wage cut is simply racist.
The Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, a community-labour alliance of over 40 organizations, will be demonstrating at MP Joe Oliver (Cabinet Minister for Toronto)’s office on May 24th.
11am, May 24, 2012
Outside MP Joe Oliver’s Office
511 Lawrence Avenue West
We are also calling for pickets and demonstrations at Conservative MP offices across Ontario on Thursday, May 24, 2012. If you can organize an action at ANY Tory MP office, please get in touch. Here are some locations we have identified where the Conservatives are susceptible to pressure.
MP Jay Aspin: Nipissing-Timiskaming (Won May 2011 election by a margin of 0.04%)
MP Ted Opitz: Etobicoke Centre (Won May 2011 election by a margin of 0.05%)
MP Bal Gosal: Bramalea-Gore-Malton (Won May 2011 election by a margin of 0.93%)
MP Wladyslaw Lizon: Mississauga East –Cooksville (Won May 2011 election by a margin of 1.44%)
MP Corneliu Chisu: Pickering-Scarborough East (Won May 2011 election by a margin of 2.52%)
MP Peter Braid: Kitchener (Won May 2011 election by a margin of 3.24%)
MP Chris Alexander: Ajax-Pickering (Won May 2011 election by a margin of 5.74%)
MP Kyle Seeback: Brampton West (Won May 2011 election by a margin of 9.78%)
MP Diane Finley: Haldimand-Norfolk (Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development)
Can you help organize an action in your community either at these offices or another one? If so, please email mwalliance4change@gmail.co
Migrant Workers Alliance for Change’s demands:
– A RIGHT TO LANDING STATUS be granted upon arrival for migrant workers. They must not be tied to one employer, be required to live in their employer’s home, or be subject to further medical examination;
– A RIGHT TO EQUAL ACCESS for all social programs, including Employment Insurance, health care, settlement services, social services and Workers’ Compensation;
– A RIGHT TO A FAIR APPEAL PROCESS for migrant workers prior to a pre-removal order, and a stop to deportations until this process is in place;
– A RIGHT TO FULL PROTECTION UNDER THE PROVINCIAL EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS ACT AND REGULATIONS currently enjoyed by Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents, including NO FEES for any work placement.
– Immediately implement a NATIONAL REGULARIZATION PROGRAM granting permanent immigration status for all non-residents living in Canada.