Migrante-BC scores exploitative conditions of migrants in BC, Canada

As a community-based organization of Filipinos in British Columbia, Migrante-BC today stands in solidarity with migrants the world over as we mark the 18^th International Migrants Day.

On this day, we recall the immense sacrifices of countless migrant workers who struggle to eke out a decent living for their families.  We salute the mothers, fathers, sons and daughters who are torn away from their families by the brutal labor export policies of their host countries and exploited as "modern-day slaves" abroad.      

In Canada, there are approximately 500,000 Filipinos and the struggle for their rights and welfare takes on added urgency because for the first time, the Philippines is now the number one source country for immigrant and temporary workers combined.  In 2007, the Arroyo administration exported 19,064 immigrants and 15,254 temporary workers to Canada.  The majority of Filipino migrants are caregivers while increasingly, many are working in the hospitality and construction industries. 

This influx of Filipinos testifies to the worsening economy back home and illustrates how in Canada's expanded and intensified drive to import cheap temporary labor - the Arroyo administration readily sells its Filipino workers in exchange for dollar remittances.  By October 2008, Filipinos in Canada infused around US$108.5 million into the ailing Philippine economy.  This amount is a 128% increase from the same period last year. 

As such, the global economic recession in Canada means the expansion of an unjust temporary foreign worker program that uses "disposable workers" who have fewer rights and are paid lower wages than local workers. 

For Filipinos in British Columbia, the work to uphold and advance migrant rights is also vital given that our province has the highest number of migrant workers.  In 2007, federal government statistics indicate there were 43, 375 temporary foreign workers in the province or more than double the 21, 939 that were here in 2003.

The reality for many migrant workers in BC and across the country is akin to the plight of those in other countries.  Indentured labor, low wages, social isolation, racism and discrimination frame the lives of many migrant workers.  And when they dare organize or complain, they too are swiftly deported and denied justice. 

As part of a growing and marginalized Filipino community, Migrante-BC affirms today our commitment to uphold and advance the rights and welfare of migrant workers.  As a member organization of Migrante International, we unite with migrants of other nationalities locally and internationally as part of our effort to mount the broadest front against the brutal dictates of neo-liberal globalization.  We link our work with the national democratic struggle of the Filipino people for genuine agrarian reform and national industrialization. 

In the immediate, we also join the Filipino people's deafening chorus against Gloria's Charter Change drive as a bid to prolong her stranglehold on power.  Clearly, overseas Filipinos and their families will increasingly be exported, betrayed and oppressed under an Arroyo administration and as such, it is in our immediate interest that she be ousted.

Thus, as we mark International Migrants Day, we salute the valiant sacrifices and struggles of migrant workers;  we highlight the exploitative conditions of migrant workers in Canada and we demand an end to the oppressive and exploitative Arroyo regime.