For many Canadian workers, radio is making a big comeback, and for many others, it never stopped being an important part of their daily lives. At least that’s the impression Pablo Godoy is left with after successfully launching his new radio program Barrio Nuevo – La Esquina, which is Spanish for “The New Neighbourhood – Around the Corner”.

“Most La Esquina listeners are Latin American-Canadians who work in precarious arrangements, so this show provides them with an avenue where they can get more information about their rights in their own language and in a medium they are culturally accustomed to,” says Godoy, who, in addition to hosting La Esquina, is a spoken word artist, youth activist, and UFCW Canada organizer.

La Esquina is a one hour call-in program that in addition to labour rights features Latin American music, poetry, current events, and special guests from Canada’s Spanish-speaking community.

It currently reaches a south central Ontario audience that includes listeners in Bradford and Virgil, where the Agriculture Workers Alliance operates two support centres for migrant farm workers.

“The response to La Esquina has been so positive that we’re going to double the number of shows from once a month to every other week,” says Godoy. “And starting in March the show is going global by partnering with the Agriculture Workers Alliance website, www.awa-ata.ca, to provide listeners with live streaming and free podcasts of the program.”

Until then, Toronto-area workers can experience La Esquina by tuning in to the 1610 AM dial where the show airs the first Saturday of every month from 4 to 5 p.m.