Category: Uncategorized

Farm Workers

Farmworkers: Check your wages for updates!

Did you know that wages for migrant farmworkers were updated recently? Keep reading to make sure you’re being paid correctly!

How to find your rights on wages

As a migrant farmworker, you have certain rights according to your contract – including wages. Do you know where to look in your contract for information about your wages?

If you’re a seasonal farmworker (8 months contract or less), look at page 4 of your contract under “PAYMENT OF WAGES“. What does it say?

[If you don’t have a copy of your contract with you, tap this link for an online version.]

It says that your boss must pay you weekly wages at a rate that is equal to or above the following rates, whichever rate is highest:

  • The provincial wage for farmworkers according to where you work;
  • The prevailing (or median) wage rate for the type of work you do in the area where you’re employed, as decided by Employment and Social Development Canada (the government department that administers the seasonal farmwork program); OR
  • The wages that your boss is paying other seasonal workers who are doing the same type of work you do.

Often the second option (prevailing or median wage) is the highest, and this rate is updated every year so be sure to check back each season. The most recent update was November 29, 2023. Are you being paid properly? Keep reading to find out!

How to find your wage rate

First, look at your work permit under “ADDITIONAL INFORMATION” and find where it says “OCCUPATION/PROFESSION“. What does it say?

Next, tap this link: jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis/search-wages

You should see this:

In the white box, type the occupation that’s listed on your work permit. Press the blue “Search” button.

Then, scroll down to where it says “Hourly wages by community/area“. You will see 3 columns: Low ($/hour), Median ($/hour), and High ($/hour).

Finally, find the region where you’re employed and look under the Median ($/hour) column in the middle. Whatever rate is stated there is your rate of pay according to your contract.

How to report contract violations

Is your boss not paying you correctly? Not sure if your wages are right?

You’re not alone! Message Kit on WhatsApp at 905-324-2840 for support.

United we are stronger! MWAC members party

Are you a member of MWAC? Join us in Toronto on December 10 from 2-5pm to connect with fellow members, share food & laughs, and take action together as we demand permanent status for all!

Farm WorkersFishery Workers

Fund Migrant Worker Wage Theft Fightback

Donate now

Every year, migrant farm and fishery workers face a grave injustice – tens of thousands of dollars in wages stolen by bad bosses. Trapped in a system of indentureship where speaking up means risking homelessness, poverty, deportation, and a ban from returning, workers rarely fight back. When they do – they are often denied their rights because they don’t have “evidence”.

Our Solution: Worker Rights Hand Book

We’re launching a Worker Rights Handbook and Video Series for migrants to know their rights, and gather evidence of exploitation.

Where your contribution will go

  • Legal Consultation: Ensuring workers have the best legal support when they speak up.
  • Video Development: Creating informative and empowering content,
  • Handbook Design: A comprehensive way to learn rights and track hours and wages.
  • Translation: Making our handbook available in many languages.
  • Distribution: Directly to migrants workers in farms and fish plants in rural communities across Canada.

Every dollar matters

  • $20,000: We will create and distribute the handbook with videos in English and Spanish to over 4,000 workers.
  • $40,000: We will add Thai, Vietnamese, Tagalog and Indigenous languages, and create additional videos.
  • $60,000: We will turn the handbook into an app that workers can use to gather evidence, learn their rights and connect with others.

To contribute

  • Via credit card: On this page
  • Interac: info@migrantworkersalliance.org
  • Cheque: Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, 720 Spadina Avenue, Suite 223, Toronto, ON M5S 2T9

Farm Workers

Treat Farmworkers Fair: TAKE ACTION

[Tap here to sign the petition]

The Minister of Labour in Jamaica, Pearnel Charles Jr., recently promised to open the overseas farmwork program to people with disabilities and create an even larger pool of workers to abuse and exploit. Does that sound fair to you?

Keep reading for 2 simple actions you can take!

1.Watch this video to learn 3 reasons why this promise is not the progressive measure the Ministry claims it to be:

2. Sign the petition below to send a message to Minister Charles – tell him to treat farmworkers fair! We want an end to the unfair practice of blacklisting, which bans farmworkers who get injured or speak up about our rights as humans and workers. Scroll down to sign or tap here to read the full petition.

Because migrants are denied permanent status in Canada, seasonal migrant farmworkers are forced to depend on our bosses to get requested back to the country each year. We are threatened with being banned (blacklisted) from the farmwork program if we speak up about abuse and unsafe conditions.

This unfair practice of blacklisting will end – but only if we take action together today!

We are uniting as migrant farmworkers to call on the Minister of Labour Pearnel Charles Jr. to:

  • Meet with Migrant Workers Alliance for Change farmworker members and listen to workers’ concerns;
  • End the discriminatory practice of blacklisting, as directed by migrant farmworkers;
  • Create an ombuds office at the Ministry of Labour to support farmworkers who have not been requested back by their employer, and to facilitate placement on another farm;
  • Call on the Canadian government to grant permanent resident status to all migrants on arrival, including seasonal farmworkers.

Your personal information will be kept private and confidential, we will never share your name or contact information and will only use it to keep you updated.

Trabajador@s Agrícolas

Cuéntenos sus experiencias esta temporada 2023 ¿Cómo le fue? ¿Tiene pedido para la próxima temporada?

En la Alianza de Trabajador@s Migrantes por un Cambio luchamos por la dignidad y la justicia migrante, esto incluye unidad familiar, mejores condiciones en el trabajo y la vivienda e igualdad de derechos.

Hemos creado este cuestionario para Trabajador@s Agrícolas, para que comparta como le fue esta temporada 2023 y si tiene pedido la siguiente en el 2024. Por ejemplo: ¿Le regresaron antes de que termine su contrato? ¿Trabajo menos horas este año? ¿No le pagaron lo justo?

¡Merecen un trato justo, seguridad laboral e igualdad de derechos!

¿Está de acuerdo? Complete este formulario para compartir su historia y aprender cómo podemos lograr el cambio juntos. Todo lo que comparta es privado y confidencial.

Migrant Students

Migrant Students United: Events & Activities

Current & former international students: Sign up and join others like you for upcoming actions, workshops, socials, and activities.

Scroll to see events in Toronto and across the country.

Toronto / GTA

November 9: Popcorn and Movie Night!

Get cozy, eat popcorn and watch a movie with others like you. Popcorn, snacks and hot drinks provided. Register below so we know how much popcorn to get.

Thursday November 9 from 6pm-8pm
MWAC Offices – click here for map
720 Spadina Avenue, suite 223

ACROSS THE COUNTRY

Sign now: Fairness Agenda for Migrant Students!

Current and graduated international students (Migrant Student Workers) are now the largest group of temporary migrants in the country. We are uniting as migrants for our rights, for justice and dignity. 

Sign the petition to #MakeItFair: MigrantWorkersAlliance.org/MSUFairness

If you are part of an organization, endorse the Fairness Agenda platform so we can unite: MigrantWorkersAlliance.org/FairnessAgenda

ENSURE STATUS FOR ALL MIGRANT STUDENT WORKERS

  • Fix Express Entry: Fair CRS calculations, predictable draws, no one left out
  • Value all work in immigration selection: In any NOC/TEER, work done on the study permit, in co-op
  • No exclusions: PR status for all regardless of age, immigration status, work, language and education requirements

FIX PERMITS

  • Permanently end the 20 hour work rule for study permit holders
  • Make PGWP renewable, and include private college students
  • Allow co-op work authorization without extra permits 
  • Permit protections for vulnerable and destitute migrant student workers
  • No industry of work restrictions

LOWER TUITION, ENSURE GOOD JOBS & ALL SERVICES

  • Fair tuition: No differential treatment, caps on tuition increases, stop the fees 
  • Ensure access to employment and decent work; end wage theft and labour exploitation. 
  • Ensure full access to all services including healthcare, housing, jobs, scholarships, and in-school support
  • Ensure family unity

Revoke GoBolt CEO Mark Ang’s Award!

GoBolt CEO Mark Ang recently fired 23 electric vehicle parcel delivery drivers in the middle of union negotiations, and the company has stated its disgraceful plan to replace all of its good, full-time delivery jobs in North America with drivers hired through third-party contractors. GoBolt is currently facing an unfair labour practice case at the OLRB. Send an email now to EY “Entrepreneur of the Year” Awards and let them know Mark Ang has no place being honoured until he rehires workers and resumes union negotiations.

We appreciate your support for GoBolt Drivers Unions.
We know that Mark Ang is firing drivers across North America, and has plans to fire many more. GoBolt management has shown that they prefer mass termination to good-faith negotiation, and we will continue to oppose this.

Support Workers and Donate to our Organizing

If you would like to donate to our organizing efforts, please do so here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-gobolt-drivers-fighting-unionbusting/share

Follow us to support our campaigns

Facebook: GoBolt Drivers Union
Instagram: @goboltdriversunion
Twitter: @goboltdrivers
Website: www.gobolt-drivers-union.com

Sign our petition in support of the GDU

Sign our petition in support of the GDU, it will show community support for us at the OLRB: https://www.change.org/p/help-the-entire-workforce-at-gobolt-who-were-fired-in-the-midst-of-union-negotiations

We will keep you posted with updates and upcoming actions.

United, we are stronger!

GoBolt Drivers Union, Teamsters Local 938

Trabajador@s Agrícolas

¡Complete la Encuesta del Gobierno de Canada para Trabajador@s Migrantes y Defienda sus Derechos!

El gobierno federal está pidiendo a l@s trabajador@s migrantes temporales que compartan sus opiniones. Esta es una gran oportunidad para defender sus derechos y compartir su opinión.

¿Por qué debería llenar la encuesta?

  • ¡La encuesta es anónima!
  • Puede decirle al gobierno lo que realmente piensa.
  • Sólo le tomará 10 minutos.

Pero recuerde:

  • No basta con compartir tus ideas.
  • Únase a otr@s trabajador@s migrantes como usted llamándonos o enviándonos un mensaje de WhatsApp para saber qué más puede hacer.

¿Cómo completo la encuesta?

  • Cambie la encuesta a español: en la esquina superior derecha puede cambiar el idioma
  • Hemos incluido todas las secciones en la encuesta a continuación para que pueda saber de que se trata e inspirarse.
  • Resumimos cada sección en la encuesta, y nuestra sugerencia para las respuestas están resaltadas en amarillo
  • Puede leer todas las secciones a continuación y luego hacer clic en el enlace para iniciar la encuesta.

Haga clic en este enlace para comenzar: ¡Encuesta gubernamental para trabajador@s migrantes y defienda sus derechos!

  • Puede utilizar las respuestas en amarillo a continuación para inspirarse o puede copiarlas y pegarlas en la encuesta del gobierno federal.

Sección 1

Preguntas 1 a 5

Estas primeras cinco preguntas son preguntas personales como: ¿Alguna vez ha sido un trabajador migrante temporal en Canadá? El año que trabajó en Canadá, tipo de trabajo que realizó y dónde trabajó (provincia y ciudad).

Sección 2

Pregunta 6 

Le pregunta si estás en un sindicato.

Seccion 3

Preguntas 7 a 24

En esta sección encontrará preguntas sobre sus experiencias en Canadá, como información sobre sus cuales son sus derechos como trabajador migrante, dónde encontró dicha información. ¿Pudo ejercer sus derechos, condiciones de vivienda y de trabajo, mando una queja a la oficina de Empleo y Desarrollo Social de Canada (ESDC), solicito un permiso de trabajo para trabajador@s vulnerables?

Recuerde pensar en su peor experiencia en Canadá al responder estas preguntas. Cuando encuentre una casilla donde pueda escribir, aproveche esa oportunidad para decir por qué desea el estatus de residente permanente, porque es la manera en que puede protegerse contra la explotación. De ejemplos de dónde fue maltratado.

Sección 4

Preguntas 25 a 35

Esta sección solicita información demográfica como nivel de educación, país de origen, idioma que habla, género. Por favor responda en consecuencia.

Sección 5

Preguntas 36 a 39

Esta parte trata sobre su interés en regresar a Canadá y si le gustaria solicitaría la residencia permanente.

Utilice esta sección para reiterar por qué quiere la residencia permanente para tod@s y por qué no puede solicitarla, porque no hay acceso a la residencia permanente para algunos grupos de trabajador@s migrantes, como l@s trabajador@s agrícolas en el programa del PTAT

Sección 6

Enviar la encuesta: Aquí es donde encontrará el botón de enviar la encuesta.

Unámonos para asegurarnos de que Canadá haga lo correcto y otorgue el Estatus Permanente para Tod@s, incluidas las personas sin papeles y las que lleguen en el futuro. Firme la petición ➡️ StatusForAll.ca

Quiere mantenerse informado sobre próximos cambios, eventos y acciones envíenos un mensaje de WhatsApp ahora y guarda nuestro número en sus contactos telefónicos (Esta es una lista privada y confidencial, y no pondrá en riesgo su trabajo o estatus de ninguna manera):

Trabajadores Agrícolas: 647-807-4722

Trabajadores pesqueros: 506-251-7467

Care WorkersFarm WorkersFishery Workers

Fill out the Government Survey for Migrant Workers and Speak Up for Your Rights!

The federal government is asking Temporary Foreign Workers to share their opinions. This is a great opportunity to speak up for your rights. 

Why should you do the survey?

  • It’s anonymous! 
  • You can tell the government what you really think.
  • It will only take you 10 minutes. 

But remember:

  • It’s not enough to just share your ideas.
  • Join with other migrant workers like you by calling or sending us a WhatsApp message to learn what else you can do. 

How do I complete the survey?

  • We have put all the sections from the survey here below, so you can read them and get inspired. 
  • The sections in the survey are bolded, and our suggested answers are highlighted in yellow 
  • You can read all the questions below and then click the link to start the survey

Click this link to start: Government Survey for Migrant Workers and Speak Up for Your Rights!

  • You can use the answers below to be inspired or you can copy and paste in the Federal government survey.

Section 1

Questions 1 to 5

These first five questions are personal questions such as: Have you ever been a temporary foreign worker in Canada? The year you worked in Canada, the type of job you did, and where you worked (province and city). 

Section 2 

Question 6 

Asks you if you are in a union. 

Section 3

Questions 7 to 24

In this section you will find questions about your experiences in Canada, such as infomation about your rights as a migrant worker you know, where did you find said information. Were you able to exercise your rights, living and working conditions, send a report to ESDC, open work permit for vulnerable workers. 

Remember to think of your worst experience in Canada when answering these questions. When you find a box use that opportunity to say why you want permanent resident status because it protects you from exploitation. Give examples of where you were mistreated. 

Section 4 

Questions 25 to 35

This section asks demographic information such as level of education, country of origin, language you speak, gender. Please respond acordingly. 

Section 5 

Question 36 to 39

This part is about your interest in coming back to Canada, and if you would apply for Permanent Residency. 

Use this section to reiterate why you want permanent residency for all and why you cannot apply, because there are no access to PR for some groups of migrant workers such as Farmworkers. 

Section 6 

Send the survey – This is where you will find the Submit button for the survey. 

Let’s unite together and make sure Canada does the right thing and grants Permanent Status For All – including people without papers and those who arrive in the future. Sign the petition

➡️ StatusForAll.ca

Do you want to stay informed about upcoming changes, events, and actions send us a WhatsApp message now and save our number in your phone contacts (This is a private and confidential list, and will not risk your job or status in any way): 

Farmworkers (ENG): 905-324-2840

Trabajadores Agrícolas: 647-807-4722

Care workers: 647-782-6633

Fishery workers (English and Spanish): 506-251-7467