May 21

Migrant labour and justice at Concordia: bridges

At Concordia University, a diverse group came together to address the pressing issues of precarious labor and migrant justice in Quebec.

Participated in the event, members from the women’s committee of the IWC, along with members and workers from the Amazon committee and the South Asian committee of the IWC. They were joined by a representative of the Federation of Commerce of the CSN . The workshop was organized by the GIREPS (Inter-university and Interdisciplinary Research Group on Poverty and Social Protection).

The gathering aimed to shed light on the struggles faced by immigrant and migrant workers in Quebec and Montreal. Participants had the opportunity to learn directly from workers, gaining insight into the unique challenges they encounter. The workshop was an integral part of the “Great Transition” activities taking place from May 18th to May 21st, 2023.

The world of work has been undergoing significant transformations, including the rise of precarious labor and the erosion of traditional labor relations. These changes persisted even amidst the so-called “economic recovery.” However, despite the obstacles, there were growing resistances and mobilizations among precarious workers, marked by innovative strategies and new organizational forms.

Driven by a desire to understand and support these emerging struggles, the workshop aimed to foster dialogue and exchange between academic researchers and grassroots activists. The focus was on recent mobilizations in Quebec, with specific attention to three key areas: the conditions for collective action, the strategies employed, and the obstacles faced. The ultimate goal was to explore new avenues for future action.

The discussions were structured around four main axes. The first axis delved into the struggles faced by workers with precarious migratory status and the prevailing migrant work regime. The second axis he second axis focused on resistance strategies for the organizing campaigns aimed at improving conditions for workers in this sector.

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