Group lobbying migrant worker’s rights rolls through Waterloo Region

Justice For Migrant Workers is a group calling for better working conditions for 30,000 migrants who come to Canada as part of the Seasonal Agriculture Worker Program.

They started what they call a rolling caravan that began in Leamington at the beginning of September with the goal of reaching Parliament Hill on October 1st.

It’s made it’s province-wide stop in Guelph today, Waterloo tomorrow, and Kitchener on Tuesday.

They’ll be at University of Guelph honoring the life of Professor Kerry Preibisch as well as paying a visit to the WSIB office where they’ll demand justice for migrant workers. On Monday in Waterloo, they’ll host an event with local MP’s and MPP’s to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Seasonal Agriculture Worker Program called Harvesting Change. On Tuesday, they’ll join UNIFOR for a community gathering at Union Hall.

Gabriel Allahdua is a former migrant work turned human rights activist. He tells 570 News if people knew how fruits and vegetables got to their dinner table, things might be different for migrant workers. “18th century working conditions exist in Canada. Behind the food you eat is a lot of injustice. It’s time things change”

Allahdua adds that Justice For Migrant Workers was formed because he found temporary migrant workers are concerned with raising their voice because they fear they might be sent home for standing up to the system.

Organizers with the group are hoping that once they reach Ottawa in October, the Federal Liberals will address them personally.

Most migrant workers come from Mexico and Jamaica, but also from Caribbean countries like St. Lucia and The Bahamas.

For more information on the advocacy group, click here.

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