Now, over 50,000 former international students have a second chance for permanent residency. Watch the video to learn what was announced today, how we did it and where we go from here.
The fight isn’t over! We still need immediate opening of applications, fair study and work permit rules, and PR #StatusforAll to ensure no-one is left behind. Join us!
+ PR Status for All: Speed up CEC, lower CRS scores, value all work, including NOC C&D, in-school, part-time and gig work, without unfair age, language and immigration status requirements
+ Fair Study and Work Permit Rules: End to the 20 hour work limit, permanently renewable Post Graduate Work Permits
+ Equal Rights and Dignity: Lower tuition fees, access to scholarships and school support, decent work, fair housing, equal access to healthcare, and family unity
La Alianza de Trabajadores Migrantes para un Cambio (MWAC) es una organización para migrantes y formada por migrantes. Nos estamos uniendo para ganar derechos en el trabajo y justicia migratoria. Al convertirse en miembro/a, aprenderá más sobre sus derechos como trabajador/a, tendrá acceso a apoyo, desarrollará sus habilidades de liderazgo y será parte de nuestro movimiento para garantizar los derechos y la justicia para todos/as. Los miembros/as participan en reuniones mensuales, así como en actividades en línea y en persona, y se vuelven parte de una comunidad de apoyo de trabajadores y amigos/as. Los/as miembros/as de la Alianza creen en construir nuestro poder colectivo y en ser solidarios/as con los/as trabajadores/as que defienden la justicia en cualquier parte del mundo.
¿Es usted un/a migrante (sin estatus de residente permanente) y está listo para luchar por un cambio? Únase a más migrantes llenando este formulario (todo lo que comparta es privado y confidencial).
Read updates below about what’s going on in our campaign to win changes to permit and immigration rules.
Current & former international students! Register to join the monthly organizing meeting to hear about what we’re up to and make plans for what’s next: Wednesday June 1, 7pm EST / 4pm PST
On April 22nd, the federal government announced that they would create open work permits for migrant students whose post-graduate work permits were expiring or expired.
Problems with the PGWP open work permits
But there were two major problems. First, the program is only open to those whose permits have expired or will be expiring between January 31, 2022 to December 31, 2022. And second, while the promise was made, applications have still not opened. In the meantime, permits continue to expire, which means we are losing jobs, status, and our access to healthcare, income and wages.
Why this change happened?
This change, as you know, happened because current and former international students like you are organizing together across the country, signing petitions, joining press conferences, making phone calls, and organizing rallies and protests. We win access to our rights, when we take action collectively.
What about the CEC draws?
The government also announced that the CEC draws would be opening in July. As you know, there have been no draws since September, so it would be 10 months by the time the draws re-open. As we wait, many of us are losing points and are worried that we will not get invited for PR because the CRS scores will be so high and there are limited spots.
What about valuing all work?
Many of us work in school, we work part-time, and in essential, low-waged (NOC C & D jobs) and sometimes for cash. Yet none of this work counts towards PR in current immigration programs. We are essential yet excluded. The federal government’s announcement does not make PR rules better for any of us.
What about study permit holders?
We continue to pay high tuition fees and rent, can’t get scholarships or income supports, and everyday prices rise at the grocery store and the gas pump. At the same time, when we work more than 20 hours, we face exploitation. Minister Fraser did not announce any changes for current study permit holders.
So, what do we do next?
The changes to the PGWP program are supposed to come into effect in June, so we have just a few days to make sure that no one is excluded. Last week, Migrant Students United sent another letter to Immigration Minister Sean Fraser, and on Friday, we met with staff from his office. Clearly, when we are loud together, the government will pay attention. So we must get even louder. Here’s how you can do that and raise your voice:
++ Register to join the monthly organizing meeting to hear about what we’re up to and make plans for what’s next: Wednesday June 1, 7pm EST / 4pm PST: MigrantWorkersAlliance.org/MSUGMM
Any day now, we will get the government to do the right thing, and change the start date of the open work permit program to include those whose PGWPs expired last year. But that won’t be enough. Together, we will continue to speak up for our rights at work, at school, and for permanent resident status for each and every person in the country without it.
Current & former international students like you are gathering in downtown Toronto to take our message and demands for change to the public. Sign up now and join us!
WHEN: Saturday May 28, 3pm WHERE: In front of Toronto City Hall (100 Queen St. W)
Come through, and share widely with your friends!
Migrant Students United is an organization of current and former international students who are uniting and coming together for equal rights, dignity, and permanent resident status for all. This year, we are continuing our campaign to win:
Renewable Post Graduate Work Permits without Exclusion, including Nov 27-Jan 31 expiry
End to the 20 Hour Work Rule on Study Permits
Real Access to PR for All: Lower CRS Scores, Speed Up CEC and Value All Work, including NOC C&D jobs, in-school and part-time work, without unfair age, language and status requirements
We won. Today, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced changes to postgraduate work permit and immigration rules in direct response to migrant student workers like you who have been speaking up and taking action for equal rights and PR status for all!
But too many are unfairly excluded. Only those whose postgraduate work permits expire after January 31, 2022 are eligible. And though CEC draws will reopen in July, there are half as many spots and too many of us will not qualify. The 20 hour work limit for study permit holders has not changed.
We will continue to organize to ensure none of us are left behind. Wherever you are, take action!
If you want to hear more about the changes we won, and what the next steps are, join the next monthly organizing meeting on May 4, 2022, 7pm Toronto time / 4pm Vancouver time.
Migrant Workers Alliance for Change (MWAC) is looking for an organizer committed to building and supporting worker power to win. The individual should be self-directed, a problem-solver and passionately committed to migrant and worker justice. We are not looking just to fill a role, we are looking for a comrade to join in the struggle.
We are seeking a skilled and motivated Digital Organizing and Communications Lead to implement and manage our CRM and digital communications system; to develop, organize and manage MWAC member, supporter and media communications; and to support communications for Migrant Rights Network. Salary: $58,920-61,905 per year (based on experience. Salaries are set on a grid, with staff moving up a step each year).
Benefits: In lieu of benefits, an additional 10% of the salary will be paid until MWAC transitions to a benefits plan.
Hours: The position is full time and entails a 35-hour work week. Some travel and evening/ weekend hours will be required. The successful candidate must be willing to be flexible and work hours required to meet MWAC’s expectations.
IS THIS JOB FOR YOU? This role may be perfect for you, if you:
understand communications looks different for working class people
are familiar with CRMs (we use Saleforce)
know how to use email communication and digital communication tools
are strategic and can look at the big picture goals and know the small steps to get there
are analytical and work well with deadlines and timelines
have confidence in your abilities to do this role and will take ownership of your responsibilities
have experience with social justice movements
are familiar with immigration and employment justice
YOUR EXPERIENCE: You are a communication pro with experience in a grassroots, volunteer OR work environment. You have experience:
Creating social media posts, email blasts, designing materials, and other verbal and written grassroots communications
Supporting work that centers and takes direction from racialized communities, women, migrants and/or low-wage workers
Managing external relationships (ie mainstream media journalist, vendors, etc)
WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING?
Managing systems and databases, including change management and troubleshooting (ie CRM, digital comms systems, etc)
Creating new materials and communications including graphics, videos, newsletters and SMS
Helping get media attention on migrant matters
Build a clear vision and strategy for communications
Updating all outward communications including websites and all social media accounts
Collaborating and cross training with members and coworkers
APPLICANTS We encourage applications from migrants, Black people, Indigenous people, people of colour, women, people who identify with disability, LGBTQ+ people and people from other equity-seeking groups that face systemic discrimination.
We will prioritize qualified candidates with migrant experience and knowledge of Spanish and/or French.
We understand that experience comes in different forms. If you believe you can do this role and you do not have all the qualifications, please still apply or reach out to us to discuss.
LOCATION This position would usually work out of our office at 720 Spadina Avenue in Toronto, which is a collaborative and inclusive shared space with other decent work organizations.
TO APPLY Please send an email to info@migrantworkersalliance.org with the subject line “Communications and Digital Organizing Lead” with a resume.
In lieu of a cover letter, please answer the following questions [max 200 words per answer]:
Why are you interested in working at MWAC as a Communications and Digital Organizing Lead?
Please tell us about your experience creating copy, graphics, and other communication materials. Feel free to attach samples of social media graphics (including captions), media releases or posters you’ve created (no more than 3)
Please tell us about your experience with CRMs and related databases.
How have you supported work that centers racialized communities, women, migrants, low-wage workers or other marginalized communities?
Are there ways we can meet your accessibility needs in this recruiting process?
Would you like us to use specific pronouns when we refer to you? If you do not specify here, we will assume they/them/theirs until you tell us otherwise.
