In Canada, and around the world, temporary migrant workers are increasingly being used for seasonal and permanent jobs. Their rights and legal protection, however, are highly circumscribed, their employment is insecure, and abuse of the temporary foreign worker programs by employers and some governments is widespread. Their rights, moreover, to a healthy, safe work-place are non-existent or greatly inferior to Canadian norms.
This two-day conference will be of interest to all those working on the issue of temporary foreign workers, especially union and community organizers already engaged in or needing to find out more about these programs.
The conference has three themes:
1. An assessment of the current state of labour rights for migrant workers; impact on domestic labour market
2. Legal remedies: rights code for TFW? full citizenship?
3. Strategies for organizing migrant workers
Organizers:
Leo McGrady Q.C.
McGrady and Company,
Lawyers.
Claude Melancon,
Melancon, Marceau, Grenier, & Sciortino,
Societe en nom collectif,
Avocats
Gary Teeple,
Professor, Sociology and Anthropology,
Director, Labour Studies Program,
Simon Fraser University
Sponsors/Endorsements:
British Columbia Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU)
Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union local 378 (COPE378)
Canadian Union of Public Employees in BC (CUPE)
Canadian Union of Public Employees, local 1004
Emily Carr University of Art and Design Faculty Association (ECUADFA)
Faculty Association College of New Caledonia Local 3
Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of BC (FPSE)
Health Sciences Association of BC (HSA)
Hospital Employees Union (HEU)
Kestrel Workplace Legal Counsel, LLP. Vancouver
Koskie Glavin Gordon, Lawyers, Vancouver, BC
McGrady & Company, Lawyers. Vancouver, BC
North Labour Law Corporation
Okanagan College Faculty Association (OCFA)
Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU)