Rights, Not Cuts
October 18, 2024
The following is from the Migrant Rights Network:
| This morning, migrant workers from across Canada spoke out about the daily abuse and exploitation they face. They called for permanent resident status because their dignity and rights depend on it. As Canada focuses on cutting migrant numbers, action to improve rights has been shelved or overturned. Aaron Martinez, a farm worker from Mexico, described living in rat-infested housing with no access to drinking water or a bathroom. He said, “I felt like a slave… Our dignity is worth more than broken promises. We are fighting for equal rights, not cuts. Status for all.” |
| Stacy Plummer, a fishery worker from Jamaica, faced relentless pressure and threats from her employer in New Brunswick. “We have to endure this abuse because the government is denying us the right to permanent residency, which is the golden key to accessing our rights in Canada,” she said. Lucia, a mushroom harvester from Mexico, endured sexual harassment and unpaid sick days. “We want permanent status for all because we deserve the same rights as everyone else and the opportunity to build a secure future in Canada,” she said. Ajay Chaudhary, a food service supervisor from India, described how his employer stole nearly $20,000 from him. “There are many other migrants like me. As workers, we want our rights. And the only way to get it is with permanent residency,” he said. Julian Diaz, a fishery worker from Colombia, was forced to work under brutal conditions for $8 an hour in Prince Edward Island. “I worked 14 hours a day, seven days a week, in inhumane conditions… We shouldn’t have to go through all of this,” he said. These are not isolated stories. Migrant workers’ access to healthcare, their ability to speak out against exploitation, and their right to live with their families are all tied to their immigration status. Prime Minister Trudeau promised to expand permanent residency. Instead, he’s caving to racist scapegoating that blames migrants for the affordability crisis, distracting us from the corporate greed driving up prices. Already 775,000 study and work permits have been slashed, with more cuts on the horizon. |
| Act now: Demand justice for Aaron, Stacy, Lucia, Ajay, Julian, and hundreds of thousands of others at www.MigrantRights.ca/RightsNotCuts |
| We have no time to lose. More cuts may be announced on November 1, 2024. Speaking up is about showing how thousands of us oppose migrant scapegoating and we are united against racism. –Migrant Rights Network |
