Caregivers, farm workers, and other Temporary Foreign Workers were joined by community allies and trade unionists ad a rally in Toronto’s East end recently, calling for fundamental changes to the federal Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP) and the Temporary Foreign Workers Program (TFWP). In addition to providing financial support for the event, UFCW Canada activists were out in numbers to join

	Pictured are Local 1000A member-activist Leanne Wilkins with family, and Mexican migrant farm worker “Miguel,” who has stayed on in Canada despite having been fired from his job at Rol-Land Farms in Ontario (face obscured to protect his identity).

the gathering, which included music, dance, and theatrical performances, a variety of delicious foods, and speak-outs by migrant workers themselves.

The rally was organized by the Coalition for Change, a network of workers, advocates, and community allies, including UFCW Canada.

Pictured are Local 1000A member-activist Leanne Wilkins with family, and Mexican migrant farm worker “Miguel,” who has stayed on in Canada despite having been fired from his job at Rol-Land Farms in Ontario (DIRECTIONS 9.01; face obscured to protect his identity).

Participants demanded an overhaul of Canada’s immigration system. Speakers pointed to how gaps between our immigration and labour policies have led to systemic discrimination and exploitation of migrant workers, including caregivers under the LCP and others under the TFWP.

 
“Events like this rally create bonds of solidarity between groups who fight for justice and dignity for migrant workers,” says Naveen Mehta, UFCW Canada’s director of Human Rights, Equity & Diversity.

“It is imperative that we continue to support these grassroots initiatives so we can be united in our efforts to make every job in Canada a good job, and every worker in Canada equal, regardless of immigration status.”

The organizers used the rally as an opportunity to call for the following changes:

• the right to landing status be granted upon arrival for live-in caregivers and other temporary foreign workers (TFW); they must not be tied to one employer, be required to live in their employer’s home, or be subject to further medical examination;

• the right to equal access for all social programs, including Employment
Insurance, health care, settlement services, social services and Workers Compensation;

• the right to a fair appeal process for live-in caregivers and other Temporary Foreign Workers prior to a pre-removal order, and a stop to deportations until this process is in place;

• the right to full protection under provincial employment standards acts and regulations currently enjoyed by Canadian citizens and permanent residents — including NO FEES for any work placement.

The Coalition for Change will continue to organize and mobilize to raise awareness, and create change, in solidarity with migrant workers.