My Journey at SWEAC:
Learning to Advocate for Worker Rights
I am Rhoschy Mary Varkey Thomas, currently pursuing the Community and Health Services Navigation program at Cambrian. As part of my academic internship, I am doing my placement at the Sudbury Workers Education and Advocacy Centre (SWEAC), a community-based non-profit organization that focuses on organizing and advocating for low-wage, marginal, and precarious workers in Northern Ontario. I consider this a valuable opportunity that enables me to learn more about the rights each worker in Ontario is entitled to and the necessity of fighting for fairness, security, and respect in the work environment.
Before starting my placement at SWEAC, I was generally aware of rights at work, such as minimum wage and basic safety rules. However, while engaging, I realized how many workers still face problems based on discrimination, racism, unsafe working conditions, or injustice—especially among new immigrants or temporary, part-time, or low-wage workers.
At SWEAC, I learn that under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act, workers have three key safety rights:
• The right to know about hazards in the workplace
• The right to participate in keeping the workplace safe
• The right to refuse unsafe work
These are important protections that help every worker stay safe on the job.
I support the SWEAC team in three capacities: client intake, community resource building, and social media awareness. During client intake, I observe how workers welcome those who come in with questions or problems. I get to learn about how to ask questions, create a comforting environment to talk about, and assist clients with respect and kindness. I also help in creating and editing learning materials such as posters and flyers that illustrate worker rights using simple, easy-to-understand language. One of the materials I created is entitled “What Does a Healthy Work Environment Look Like?” and it presents respect, safety, and fairness as the building blocks of a good work environment. I use Canva to make it more engaging.
Also, I provide social media content suggestions that SWEAC can utilize to post rapid information to the community. This ranges from simple reminders of employees’ rights, event notices, or links to services provided in the Sudbury region.This role helps me develop my communication, creativity, and awareness of community needs— all while furthering the mission of SWEAC in education and advocacy.
This placement allows me to witness firsthand the actual challenges that most workers encounter on a daily basis. I understand how crucial it is to voice concerns, ask questions, and provide information in a manner that is inclusive and accessible to everyone. It also appeals greatly to my passion for social justice and community development. I am thrilled to work for an organization that is in very close contact with people who are often marginalized or silenced within society. I understand that all efforts, however little—including a kind reminder or a courteous conversation —count for much in the life of a person.
I am extremely grateful to SWEAC for the opportunity they have given me and for having faith in me to learn and grow here. This experience makes me want to stay committed to fighting for workers, promoting fairness, and standing up for those who cannot stand up for themselves.To others undertaking placements or seeking opportunities to give back to the community, I say:
Start small, stay curious, and always stand up for fairness and dignity.
–Rhoschy
