Sudbury,
Have you heard the news?
On Oct 7, after years of organing and campaigning the Migrant Rights Network released a partial win after Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, announced the temporary lifting of the 20-hour-per-week cap on the number of hours that International Students are allowed to work off-campus while class is in session.
The change will take place from November 15, 2022, until December 31, 2023. According to the change “International students who are in Canada and who have off-campus work authorization on their study permit will not be restricted by the 20-hour-per-week rule. Foreign nationals who have already submitted a study permit application, as of today (October 7th) will also be able to benefit from this temporary change, provided their application is approved.”
With this change, “More than 500,000 International Students Win Right to Work And Protect Themselves from Exploitation”. We will not downplay this opportunity. If instances such as these were in place in 2017, workers such as Jobandeep Singh Sandhu, who was targeted for working more than 20 hours per week off campus. Would not have been arrested, and he is not alone. “The 20-hour work limit has resulted in immense exploitation and abuse.” Migrant student workers already are forced to work well over 20 hours without pay, support, or protection for their rights. We have heard stories of workers being threatened with deportation or having wages stolen for trying to speak out about these violations.
Sabrina Zhang founder of HY-Voyagers shares how this is a chance for migrants to “Taste freedom”.
This news, while significant is not enough! Thousands of migrants are still left unprotected now and in the future.
The Migrant Rights Network and allies across Canada have placed fire on Trudeau to make a difference for migrants and address all calls to action needed to support migrants. “On Sunday, October 16th, it will be 10 months since Prime Minister Trudeau promised a regularization program!”
If you remember, earlier this year, thanks to migrant organizing, the Trudeau government instructed the Minister of Immigration to create a regularization program. We must make sure that NO ONE is left behind
TAKE ACTION:
While the Sudbury Workers Centre will not be able to hold an event Today, on October 16th we urge you to join in on actions close to you or online and join us throughout the day digitally to remind Trudeau of this opportunity. We stand in solidarity with the Migrant Rights Network and both undocumented and documented people.
Below you will find contact details for Trudeau and Minister Fraser:
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca 613-992-4211
Minister Sean Fraser: sean.fraser@parl.gc.ca 613-992-6022
Join us to call on Ministers across Canada to move swiftly to ensure regularization for undocumented migrants and permanent resident status for all.
Call Trudeau’s office and leave a message sharing your support for migrant workers, fill up his mailbox as well as send emails using the templates and links created by the dedicated volunteers and workers at the Migrant Rights Network! Add your voice to the letter and share how this impacts each and every one of us in making Canada equal, better, and fair for everyone.