ending migrant worker exploitationb. to organize your own, contact [email protected] and read...
TRANSCRIPT
EndingMigrantWorkerExploitationatoolkitforactioninMay&June2016
[email protected]/MigrantRightsCA/www.migrantrights.ca
2
CoalitionforMigrantWorkerRightsCanadaLaunchedinOctober2015,theCoalitionforMigrantWorkerRightsCanadaistheunifiedvoiceofmigrantworkersinCanada.Ouraimissimple:tore-buildtheimmigrationsystemtoensurebasicdignityandfairnessforeveryone.OurmembersrepresenthundredsofthousandsofCanadian-born,andmigrantworkers.Togetherweknowthatweneedaneconomythatworksforeveryone,notonethatforcesustofighteachotherforscraps.CoalitionforMigrantWorkerRightsCanadaMembers
• CooperInstituteinPEI• MigrantWorkersAllianceforChange*• MigrantWorkerSolidarityNetworkinManitoba• MigranteCanada• RadicalActionwithMigrantsinAgriculturein
OkanaganValley• TemporaryForeignWorkersAssociationin
Quebec• TemporaryForeignWorkersCoalitioninAlberta• VancouverCommitteeforDomesticWorkers
andCaregiverRights• WestCoastDomesticWorkersAssociationin
Vancouver
*MigrantWorkersAllianceforChangeincludes:• AllianceforSouthAsianAIDSPrevention
(Toronto)• AsianCommunityAidsServices(Ontario)• CaregiversActionCentre(Ontario)• FuerzaPuwersa(Guelph)• IndustrialAccidentVictims’GroupofOntario• JusticiaforMigrantWorkers(Ontario,BC,Mexico)• LegalAssistanceofWindsor• MigranteOntario• NoOneIsIllegal–Toronto• ParkdaleCommunityLegalServices• SocialPlanningToronto• UNIFOR(Canada)• SouthAsianLegalClinicofOntario• UnitedFoodandCommercialWorkers(Canada)• WorkersUnited(Canada)• Workers’ActionCentre(Toronto).
[email protected]/MigrantRightsCA/www.migrantrights.ca
3
ThisdocumenthasbeenadaptedfromtoolkitsdevelopedbytheCooperInstitute,IncomeSecurityAdvocacyCentre,ArthritisSocietyandFreeGrassy.netMigrantWorkersandLeadership
MigrantworkersareconstructedasvulnerableasaresultoflegalrestrictionsthatareplacedontheiremploymentinCanada.EconomicinsecuritiescoupledwithracismandxenophobiaisdrivingawedgebetweenmigrantworkersandCanadiancitizens.Migrantworkersarenotstealingjobs,drivingdownwages.Wehopethatthistoolkitprovidestheresourcestochallengethesediscriminatoryideasandtobuildsolidaritywithmigrantworkers.Inspiteoftheobstaclesmigrantworkersareorganizing.Migrantworkersareorganizinginfarms,incommunities,inprocessingsites,inhomesallacrossCanada.Migrantworkersareleaders,areorganizers,areheroes.Theroleofalliesistowalkalongsideworkers,asmigrantworkersstriveforjustice.CMWRC’sgoalincreatingthistoolkitistoprovideresourcestobuildcollectivestrengthamongstmigrantworkersandtheiralliestostrivetowardsmigrantworkerssocial,legal,racial,genderandeconomicjustice.Wehavepreparedthistoolkittoadvocateforpermanentimmigrationstatusonlandingformigrantworkers,andopenworkpermitsinthecontextofthereviewoftheTemporaryForeignWorkersProgramthatbeginsonMay11,2016.
[email protected]/MigrantRightsCA/www.migrantrights.ca
4
TableofContents
ACTIONPLAN–WEMUSTACTNOW! 5
WHATISTHETEMPORARYFOREIGNWORKERSREVIEW? 6
TOOL1:BACKGROUNDER:WHOAREMIGRANTWORKERSANDWHATDOTHEYNEED? 7
TOOL2:FREQUENTLYASKEDQUESTIONS 11
TOOL3:MEETINGWITHYOURMPS 13
TOOL3A:TEMPLATEEMAILTOREQUESTAMEETING 14TOOL3B:PRIORITYMEMBERSOFPARLIAMENTTOMEET 15TOOL3C:SAMPLEPHONECALLGUIDETOBOOKAMEETING 17TOOL3D:MEETINGYOURMPFACE-TO-FACE 18
TOOL4:LETTERTOTHEEDITOR 20
TOOL5:ORGANIZINGPUBLICEVENTS 21
TOOL5A:ORGANIZINGAPUBLICEVENT 22TOOL5B:GETTINGMEDIACOVERAGE 24
[email protected]/MigrantRightsCA/www.migrantrights.ca
5
ACTIONPLAN–Wemustactnow!Wehaveaverysmallwindowforimmediateactionandweareinterestedinbuildingalong-termmovement.Hereareafewsimpleandeasystepsyoucantakerightnowwhichcouldmakethedifferencebetweenwinningandlosingmajorreformsformigrantworkersintheupcomingreviewandwillconnectyouwithorganizationsacrossthecountrytobepartoftheongoingstruggle.
1. Goonlineandtakesthesesimplesocialmediaactions.a. Gotowww.migrantrights.caandsignourpetition.Makesuretoopt-intoour
announcementslist.b. Joinusonfacebookatwww.facebook.com/MigrantRightsCAandtwitterat
www.twitter.com/MigrantRightsCAc. Wewillbepostinginfographics,breakingnewsandanalysisandworkertestimonies.Make
suretoturn-onnotificationsandboosttheshares.d. Feelfreetodevelopyourownmemesandsharethosewithus.
2. NextsetupameetingwithyourMembersofParliament–theywillbeintheirridingsMay21-29
a. Wehavedevelopedatooltohelpyoudojustthat.
3. GetintouchwithamemberofCMWRCinyourregiontobepartofupcomingactions.a. Alberta:[email protected]. BritishColumbia:[email protected]. Manitoba:[email protected]. Ontario:[email protected]. PrinceEdwardIsland:[email protected]. Quebec:[email protected]
4. Join/Organizepubliceventsduringthe#StatusNowWeekofAction
a. FromMay28thtoJune5th–WewillbeorganizingactionsacrossCanada.Visitwww.migrantrights.cafordetailsofupcomingeventsororganizeyourown.
b. Toorganizeyourown,contactinfo@migrantrights.caandreadthetoolkitbelow.Wehavedevelopedpetitions,backgrounder,mediakitsandflyersforyoutouse.
5. Writingletterstonewspapersa. Takeafewminutesrightnowandsendalettertotheeditorofyourlocalnewspaper.We
haveattachedasampleyourcanuse.
[email protected]/MigrantRightsCA/www.migrantrights.ca
6
WhatistheTemporaryForeignWorkersreview?InMayandJune2016,theStandingCommitteeonHumanResources,SkillsandSocialDevelopmentandtheStatusofPersonswithDisabilities(HUMA)willbereviewingtheTemporaryForeignWorkersProgram.Detailsofthescopeandtimelineofthereviewhavenotbeenfinalized.Hereisthetimelineofthereview
• May11:StudyoftheTemporaryForeignWorkers-MinistersandDepartmentalOfficialswillpresent
• May16:StudyoftheTemporaryForeignWorkers-witnesses• May18:StudyoftheTemporaryForeignWorkers-witnesses• May21–29:MembersofParliamentwillbeintheirriding• May30:StudyoftheTemporaryForeignWorkers-witnesses• June1:StudyoftheTemporaryForeignWorkers-witnesses• June8:StudyoftheTemporaryForeignWorkersProgram-distributionofdraftreport• June13:StudyoftheTemporaryForeignWorkersProgram-considerationofdraftreport• June15:StudyoftheTemporaryForeignWorkersProgram-adoptionofreport
Ourprioritiesforthisrevieware:
• Ensurethemigrantworkersarepartofthediscussionandthroughthisprocesswinreformsthatfurtherthehumanandlabourrightsformigrantworkers
o Thismeansensuringthatmigrantworkersarewitnessestothecommittee.o Ensurethatmigrantworkersarespeakingatpubliceventsandinthemediaduringthe
courseofthereviewtellingtheirownstories.o Ifyouareamigrantworker,orworkwithmigrantworkers,getintouchwithussowecan
coordinateyourparticipation.• Facilitateacross-Canadaconversationonmigrantworkerrights
o Organizein-person(streetactions,publicevents)andsocialmediainteractionstoshowthevalueandworthofmigrantworkers
o ChangesomeofthecommonmisperceptionsaboutmigrantworkersandbuildsolidarityamongallresidentsofCanada
• StrengthenamigrantworkerledmovementforimmigrationreforminCanadao BuildingbridgesandalliancesbetweenmigrantworkergroupsandtheiralliesacrossCanada
toorganizejointactions.
[email protected]/MigrantRightsCA/www.migrantrights.ca
7
TOOL1:BACKGROUNDER:Whoaremigrantworkersandwhatdotheyneed? We’vepreparedabackgrounderthatyoucanuseinyourowncommunity.Printthenextthreepagesand
• GivetoyourMemberofParliament(MP)inyourmeetingwiththem;• Provideitasbackgroundforareporterorothermediapersonyouareworkingwith;and• Givetopeopleinyourcommunitytotakeaction.
[email protected]/MigrantRightsCA/www.migrantrights.ca
8
Migrant Workers in Canada
MigrantworkersrefertoTemporaryForeignWorkersontiedorclosedworkpermits.Therearethreekeystreamswithverydifferentaccesstorightsandservices.
SeasonalAgriculturalWorkersProgram
TemporaryForeignWorkers–LowWaged CaregiversProgram
TypeofWork
MostlymenfromMexicoandtheCaribbeancountrieswhocometoCanadatogrowourfood.Theyworkinfarms,fields,andfoodfactories.
Racializedwomenandmenworkinginretail,food,agriculture,hospitality,fisheriesandsimilarindustriesdoingbackbreakingwork.
MostlywomenfromthePhilippines,IndonesiaandLatinAmericawhotakecareofchildren,elderlyandpeoplewithdisabilities.
Workerrecruitment.
Inthisbilateralgovernmentprogram,workerrecruitmentiscoordinatedbetweentheMinistryofLabourinsendingcountriesandFARMSCanada.Workersmaybeforcedtopaylocalofficialstogetintotheprogram.
Employersmustpay$1,000processingfeesforLabourMarketImpactAssessments.Thesefeesareoftendownloadedtoworkers.ManyworkerspayrecruitersthousandsofdollarstogetjobsinCanada.Recruitersarenotfederallyregulated.
PermittypeCanonlyworkfortheemployerlistedontheirpermits.It’snearlyimpossibletochangejobs,orspeakoutwhenfacingabuse.Theyarenotallowedtotakeonadditionalworktosupplementtheirincome,orupgradetheirskillsandgetaneducationbyenrollinginuniversity.
Lengthofpermits
CanworkinCanadaforamaximumof8monthsperyear.Someworkershavebeencomingeveryyearformorethan40years.
CanworkandliveinCanadaforamaximumof4years.TheyarethenbarredfromworkinginCanadaforthenextfouryears.
Labourrights
Aregenerallyexcludedfrommanybasicemploymentstandards,suchasovertimepay.Inpracticemayreceivelessthanminimumwage.Canbeblacklistedfromtheprogramforspeakingupandassertingtheirrights.
Oftenaredeniedtherightssetoutintheircontractsandinthelaw,includingbeingdeniedminimumwage,overtimepayorvacationpay.Facereprisals,includingterminationandthreatsofdeportation,forspeakingout.
Housing Muststayinemployerprovidedhousing
Maybeforcedtostayinemployerprovidedhousingdependingonthetypeofprogram.
Maybeforcedtostayinemployerprovidedhousingdependingontheiryearofarrival.
PermanentResidency
CannotgetPermanentResidentstatusinCanadaunderFederalprograms.VerysmallnumbersofTFWsinthelow-wagedstreamcangetpermanentresidencythroughprovincialprograms(exceptinOntarioandQuebec).
Therearecapsonhowmanycaregiverscanreceivepermanentresidence.Thismeanstheymustworkforaminimumtwoyearsfortheiremployersbutnolongerknowwhentheyentertheprogramifthatwillallowthemtoaccesspermanentresidence.
[email protected]/MigrantRightsCA/www.migrantrights.ca
9
Three steps to ensure rights and build a better economy Overthelastfivedecades,migrantworkersinallprogramshaveexpressedalitanyofconcernsaboutbeingemployedunderCanada’stemporaryforeignworkersschemes.Inthissection,weareprovidingyouwithanoverviewofthethreekeydemandsthattheCoalitionforMigrantWorkerRights–Canadaisputtingforwardtoaddresssomeoftheseconcerns.Theseareeasy,pragmaticsolutionstoexpandhumanandlabourrightsofimmigrantworkersinCanada.
I.Equality-Robustpermanentimmigrationsystem
MigrantworkersinCanadadeservepermanentimmigrationstatus.FutureimmigrantworkerscomingtoCanadaintheSeasonalAgriculturalWorkersProgram,theTemporaryForeignWorkersProgramandtheCaregiversProgramshouldarrivewithpermanentimmigrationstatus.
Migrantworkersareimportant:Migrantworkersworkinfarmsandfactories,takingcareofchildren,thesickandtheelderly.Agriculture,caregiving,foodproduction,constructionareimportantindustriesthatrequirespecializedskillsthatmigrantworkershave.Oursocietycannotfunctionwithoutthecriticalcontributionsthatmigrantworkersmake.
Migrantworkersarenottemporary:SomemigrantworkershavebeencomingbacktoCanadatoworkforeightmonthsoftheyearforoverfortyyears.Othershavebeenherepermanentlyforuptofouryearsifnotmore.Thesefriendsandfamilymembersofourshavelaidroots,builtlivesandcontributedtoCanada.Theydeservepermanentresidencystatustocontinuetoliveherewithdignity.
Permanentresidencymakeseconomicsense:Migrantworkershelpgrowbusinesses.Ithurtsemployerstohavetoretrainnewworkerseveryfewyears.Providingmigrantworkerwithpermanentresidencywouldensureastableworkforceandbuildabettereconomyforusall.
Permanentresidencyensuresservices:Manylabourrights,andbasicservicesinCanadalikehealthcareandpostsecondaryeducationaretiedtopermanentimmigrationstatus.Evenifmigrantworkerswishtoreturnhomeeventually,permanentresidentstatusistheonlywaytoensureaccesstotheseservicesnow.Ontopofthat,migrantworkerspayforalltheseservicesalready–theydeserveaccesstothem.
Permanentresidencyisthenorm:Mostimmigrants–refugees,spouses,high-wagedimmigrants-arriveinCanadawithpermanentresidenceimmigrationstatuswhichgivesthempeaceofmind,theabilitytore-unitewiththeirfamiliesandthetoolstheyneedtolaydeeperrootsandbuildoursocietyfurtherassoonastheyarrive.Migrantworkersshouldnotbeexcluded.
Permanentresidencymeansfamilyreunification:Migrantworkersdeservetohavetheirfamiliesjointhem.Measuresneedtobeputinplacetoallowmigrantworkerstohavetheirfamiliesvisitthemorforthemtobeabletovisittheirfamilies.That’sjustfair.
[email protected]/MigrantRightsCA/www.migrantrights.ca
10
II.Mobility-Workpermitsshouldnotbetied
Migrantworkerscanonlyworkfortheemployerlistedontheirworkpermit–thisiscalledatiedorclosedworkpermitandisunfair.Migrantworkersshouldhaveopenworkpermits
Tiedworkpermitsallowabuse:Itisverydifficult,sometimesimpossible;tochangejobsbecauseoftiedworkpermits.Employersknowthisanditgivesbadbossestheabilitytoexploitworkers.
Itisamatterofchoice:Eachofusdeservesthechoicetowalkawayfromabadboss,orajobthatmakesussick.Thisisnotaprivilege;itisabasicrightthatmigrantworkersaredenied.
Tiedpermitsdivideus:Tiedworkpermitsdividetheworkforce,andcreateagroupofworkersthataremorevulnerablethentherest.Thisimpactsallworkers.III.Voice-UndotheHarm
WeneedtoendHarper-erarestrictionsthatdenymigrantworkerstheirvoice,humanrights,anddecenthealth.
Endthefour-yearlimitonworkpermits:Ratherthanvaluetheircontributions,currentpolicyforcesmigrantworkerstoleaveafterfouryears.Thisuprootslong-termworkerswhohavebuiltlivesandrelationshipshereandhelpedbuildlocalbusinesses.
EndtheCaps:Worksiteswithover10fulltimeworkersaresubjecttoprogressive“caps”onthepercentageofmigrantworkersintheirtotalworkforceeachyear.It’llbe10%inJuly2016.Migrantworkersarebeingforcedoutofjobstheyhaveheldforyears.
Allowworkerstochangejobs:Nonewpermitsarebeingissuedinfood,andretailsectorinregionswithunemploymentgreaterthan6%.Thishaseffectivelylockedworkersalreadyhereintothosejobs,greatlyincreasingthechancesofexploitation.
RemoveLMIAfees:A$1,000feehasbeenplacedonLabourMarketImpactAssessment(LMIA)applicationsthatemployersaredownloadingtoworkers.Migrantworkersshouldn’thavetopaytowork.
RestoreCaregivers’guaranteedrighttopermanentresidencestatus,reverseNovember2014changes:NowonlyasmallquotaofCaregiverscanapplyforpermanentresidency,andmustmeetaveryrestrictivecriterionevenafterworkingherefortwoyears.
RestoreportableEIbenefits:AllowSeasonalAgriculturalWorkersandothermigrantworkersaccesstopensions,parentalbenefits,EIandsupportsafterinjuriesevenaftertheyleaveCanada.
Regulaterecruiters:MigrantworkershavetopaytensofthousandsofdollarstounregulatedrecruiterstogetajobinCanada.Todoso,theytakeontremendousdebtandsotheyarriveinthecountryunabletoasserttheirbasicrights.TheFederalgovernmentcanencourageprovincestoregulaterecruiters,andcreateinter-provincialagreementssothatrecruitersdon’tswitchprovincestoavoidaccountability.
[email protected]/MigrantRightsCA/www.migrantrights.ca
11
TOOL2:FREQUENTLYASKEDQUESTIONS1.Whoaremigrantworkers?
MigrantworkerscomefromJamaica,Philippines,Mexicoandothercountriesworkinginfarms,fields,factoriesortakingcareofchildren,sickortheelderly.Migrantworkersarelargelyracialized,andoftenworkingclasspeoplefromtheGlobalSouth.
Officially,migrantworkersaredividedinto‘SeasonalAgriculturalWorkers’,‘Caregivers’and‘TemporaryForeignWorkers’.Thesethreegroupslivedunderslightlydifferentrulesbutwhat’scommoninallofthemisthattheyareallon‘tied’or‘closed’permits.Thatmeansthattheycanonlyworkfortheemployerlistedontheirworkpermitsandhaveaverydifficulttimechangingjobs.Bademployersknowthisandmakemigrantworkersworkharder,inmoredangerousjobsandforlongerhourswithlesspaybecausetheyknowmigrantworkerscan’tleavethem.2.Don’tmigrantworkershavethesamerightsaseveryoneelse?
No.Mostimmigrants-likerefugees,spouses,andricherimmigrants-cometoCanadapermanently,andtheirfamiliescanvisitthem.Butmigrantworkers-eventhoughtheygothroughthesamestrenuoustestingthatotherimmigrantsdo-comeherewithouttheirfamilies.OtherthanCaregivers,mostofthemcannotevenapplytostayherepermanentlythroughafederalprogram.SomeworkersinagriculturecometoCanadaforeightmonthsoftheyearsfor35to40yearsbuttheystillcan’tliveherepermanently.Manymigrantworkersinagricultureareexcludedfromminimumwagelawsanddomesticmigrantworkersareexcludedfromoccupationalhealthandsafetylaws.
ManyofourparentsorgrandparentscametoCanadaandworkedinlow-payingjobs.Today,theywouldhavecomeasmigrantworkers.Weneedasingletiersystemandlawsshouldnotdenypeopletheirfamilies,basicservicesanddignitysimplybecausetheymakelessmoney.3.ThereissomuchunemploymentinCanada,whyaretheremigrantworkers?DoesthismeanthatmigrantworkersarestealingCanadianjobs?
TemporaryforeignworkersfindemploymentinCanadalegally.Whenweusetheworld“stealing”todescribehowamigrantacquiresajobwearefalselycriminalizingthem.Migrantworkersmakeuplessthan0.005%ofthelabourforce.Thereareatleast1.3millionunemployedCanadiancitizensandapproximately100,000migrantworkersinCanada.Mostmigrantworkersareinregionswithrelativelylowunemployment,andworkinginindustrieswheretherearefewCanadiancitizens.Eveniftherewerenomigrantworkers,therewouldstillbe1.2millionunemployedCanadiancitizens.
Alotofusaresufferingfromunemploymentandprecariousjobsandweneedtodealwiththat.ThishastobedonethroughimprovingEmploymentInsurance,raisingtheminimumwage,providingtraining,moreaccessibleeducationandgivingpeopletheskillsthatthejobmarketneeds.Migrantworkersarenottheproblem.
[email protected]/MigrantRightsCA/www.migrantrights.ca
12
4.ManypeopleinCanadaalreadydon’thavehealthcare/housing/food/pensions,etc-canweaffordtogivethosetomigrantworkers?
Ifanything,migrantworkersactuallysubsidizethewelfaresystem,nottheotherwayaround.Migrantworkerspayintopensionsandemploymentinsurancebutmostdon’treceiveit.Similarlytheypayallfederalandprovincialtax(HST)butinmostprovincesdon’tgetfullhealthcare,worker’scompensation,socialassistance,subsidizedhousingorpost-secondaryeducation.Accordingtoonereport,justin2008,migrantworkersandtheiremployerspouredin$300millionintoEmploymentInsurancethattheydidnotaccess!
WeneedtodealwithpeopledrainingoursocialprogramsandtodothatweshouldstartwiththewealthyelitesinCanadawhoarenowhoardingarecord$170billioninoffshoretaxhavens.5.Migrantworkerschosetobetreatedthisway.Iftheyarebeingtreatedthisbadly,whydon’ttheyjustgohome?
Migrantworkershavetopayanequivalentoftwo-yearsalariestocomeworkinCanadatorecruiters.Chargingrecruitmentfeesareillegalinmanyplacesinthecountrybutmostprovincessimplydon’tenforcetheselaws.Theserecruitersmakemanypromisestomigrantworkers,butmigrantworkersarrivetoconditionsdifferentfromwhattheywerepromised.Evenifwagesaresometimeshigher,migrantworkersareawayfromtheirfamiliesandsupportsystemandfacingalotmorepressure.
Formanypeople,migrationisnotachoice.MigrantworkersareforcedtocometoCanadaisbecausetherearefewjobsintheircountries.MultinationalcorporationsgointocountriesintheGlobalSouthcreatingsweatshopsanddangerousextractionandinfrastructureprojectsthatreduceaccesstogoodjobsanddecentqualityoflife.Toensurethatpeoplearen’tforcedtoleavetheirhomestocometoilhere,weneedtochallengetradeagreementsliketheTPP,forcecorporationstonotcreatesweatshopswhichcreatedtragediesliketheRanaPlazawhereapproximately1,200BangladeshiworkersdiedmakingclothesofNorthAmericanandEuropeanconsumers,andpasslawsthatholdCanadiancorporationsaccountableforcrimescommittedindevelopingcountries.
Atthesametime,becauseofglobalpoverty,theTemporaryForeignWorkersProgramistheonlywayforsomepeopletosendtheirkidstoschool,putfoodonthetable,andsecureshelterandhousingfortheirfamilies.SomemigrantworkersarechoosingtocometoCanada,theyarenotchoosingtobeexploitedandabused.6.Manymigrantworkersarehappy,notallemployersarebad!
Migrantworkerslikeeveryoneelsewanttobewiththeirfamilies,theywanttochangejobsthataredangerousormakingthemsick,theywanttobeabletogotoadoctorwhentheyaresick,theywanttotaketimeoffforvacations,theywanttobeabletonegotiatetheircontracts.TheseareverybasicrightsandCanadianlawsdenythem.Therearegoodemployerswhodobadthingsandbademployerswhodogoodthings.Attheendoftheday,theresponsibilityiswithfederalandprovincialgovernmentstopassbetterlawsandenforceexistinglaws.Weallneedtoworktogethertoensurethatmigrantworkershavepermanentimmigrationstatus,openworkpermitsandadecentlife.
[email protected]/MigrantRightsCA/www.migrantrights.ca
13
Tool3:MEETINGWITHYOURMPsAsample4-stepplantomeetyourMembersofParliament.MPswillbeintheirconstituenciesfromMay21toMay28.Rememberthesepriorities:
a. PermanentimmigrationstatusformigrantworkersinCanada,andpermanentimmigrationstatusfornewworkersarrivinginCanada
b. Openworkpermitsforallmigrantworkersc. Undoingtheharm:Stopthe4and4rule,removethecaps,allowcaregiverspermanentresidency
rights,andreverseHarper’sharmfulchanges.I.TheLetter/Email
StartofbywritinganemailtotheMPrequestingameeting.Seethe"Templateemailtorequestameeting"(Tool3A)thatyoucanuse.Lettersshouldbee-mailed,butcanalsobesentbymail,faxedorhand-delivered.SeeTool3BtoseewhichMPsareourpriorities–butpleasemeetwhicheverMPyoucan.II.TheTelephoneCall
FollowupwithatelephonecalltoyourMPtorequestameeting.Explainyourpurposeforthemeeting(totalktothemaboutreformsthatareneededtoimprovetheworkingandlivingconditionsoftemporaryforeignworkers),andmakesuretobeclearaboutwhowillbeattending.SeeTool3Cforasamplephonescript.WhenyouspeakonthephonetosomeoneinyourMP’soffice,youmaybepassedaroundorgetavoicemailmessage.BepersistentandmakesureyoucontinuetocalltillyouspeaktosomeonewhoiscapableofschedulingameetingwithyourMP.III.TheIn-PersonMeeting
Youshouldalwaysbringafamilymember,friendorcolleaguewithyoutothemeetingforsupportandtohaveasecondopiniononhowthemeetingwent.Havingasupportpersoncanhelpyouorganizeyourthoughtspriortothemeetingandassistyouinanyfollow-upworkthatneedstobedonetoachieveyourgoal.Perhapsmostimportantly,asupportpersoncanhelpyoutoremaincalmandrelaxedinanunfamiliarorintimidatingenvironment.WhenmeetingwithMPs,itisusefultohavesomeonewholivesinthatconstituencytobepresentinthemeeting.SeeTool3Dformoredetailsonhowtoprepareforandconductameetingwithyouraudience.IV.TheFollow-Up
Ifyouhadameeting,sendathankyoulettertothepeopleyoumetwith,andincludeanyfollow-upinformationthatyoupromisedtogather.Followupagaininacoupleweekstoseeiftherehasbeenanyprogressontheissue,includinganycommitmentsmadebybothyouandyouraudienceinyourmeeting.Continuetofollowupwithyouraudienceatregularintervalsforprogressreports.Bepersistent,butrespectful.
[email protected]/MigrantRightsCA/www.migrantrights.ca
14
Tool3A:Templateemailtorequestameeting
MPAddressTheHonourable(FullName),MPConstituencyOfficeFindyourMPathttp://bit.ly/mpbypostalcode
Salutation DearMinister,/DearMr./Ms.(Name)
Stateyourmainissue
IwouldliketomeetwithyoutodiscussTemporaryForeignWorkersinCanadainthecontextofareviewtakingplaceinParliamentrightnow.ForfartoolongmigrantworkershavebeendeniedequalrightsinCanada.It'stimeforurgentaction.Oureconomyneedstwoquickfixestoworkpermitrulestorelievepressureonmigrantworkers.TherearetwoeasystepstheFederalgovernmentcantakerightnowandthenmovetowardsbuildingasecureandpermanentimmigrationsystem.
Yourpersonalstoryandhowitconnects.
I/wehavebeenpersonallyaffectedbythisissueanditisamajorconcerninourregion(briefsummaryofyourpersonalexperiencewiththemainissue–hereyoushouldtalkabouthowyouareaffected)
Factssupportingyourconcern.
Low-wagedmigrantworkers(SeasonalAgriculturalWorkers,CaregiversandTemporaryForeignWorkers)arerestrictedtoonlyworkingforthespecificemployerlistedontheirworkpermit.Changingemployersisextremelydifficult.Thisallowsbadbossestolowersalariesandholdworkershostagetopoorworkingconditions.Manyliveinfeardeportationanddon’tspeakoutabuses.Thesepracticeslowerstandardsforeveryoneinthelabourmarket.
Specifyhowyouraudiencecanmakeadifference
It’stimeforthefederalgovernmentto(a)Untiepermitssoworkershavecanleaveemployerswhoexploitthem.(b)Removerestrictionsonmigrantworkersincludingthe4-in/4-outrulethatforcesmigrantworkerstoleaveCanadaafter4yearsoflivingandworkinginourcommunitiesandcapsonmigrantworkersabilitytochangejobsorapplyforpermanentresidency.
It’stimetoundoyearsofdamageandcommittorealchange.Followingthesefirsttwosteps,weneedtoensurepermanentimmigrationstatusonarrivalformigrantworkers.Weneedanimmigrationsystemthatvaluespeople,supportsfamiliesandrejectsdivisiveness.Thetimeforchangeisnow.
FinalremarksIlookforwardtomeetingwithyoutodiscussthesemattersfurther.AdetailedproposalfromCoalitionforMigrantWorkerRightsCanadawillalsobesenttoyou.
Signoffandcontactinformation
SincerelyYourname,Phonenumberand/oremail
[email protected]/MigrantRightsCA/www.migrantrights.ca
15
Tool3B:PriorityMembersofParliamenttomeetTheHouseofCommonsStandingCommitteeonHumanResources,SkillsandSocialDevelopmentandtheStatusofPersonswithDisabilities(HUMA)iswherethereviewwilltakeplace.CurrentmembersofHUMA(asofMay6,2016)
Name Email Constituencyofficephonenumber Riding Party Role
BryanMay [email protected] 519-624-3517 Cambridge Liberal Chair
BobZimmer [email protected] 250-787-1192 PrinceGeorge — PeaceRiver — NorthernRockies
Conservative ViceChair
NikiAshton [email protected] 204-677-1333 Churchill — KeewatinookAski
NDP ViceChair
GérardDeltell [email protected] 418-842-5552 Louis-Saint-Laurent Conservative Member
WayneLong [email protected] 506-657-2500 SaintJohn — Rothesay Liberal Member
YvesRobillard [email protected] 450-622-2992 Marc-Aurèle-Fortin Liberal Member
DanRuimy [email protected] 604-466-2761 PittMeadows — MapleRidge
Liberal Member
RameshSangha [email protected]
(613)992-9105 BramptonCentre Liberal Member
FilomenaTassi [email protected] 905-529-5435 HamiltonWest — Ancaster — Dundas
Liberal Member
MarkWarawa [email protected] 604-534-5955 Langley — Aldergrove Conservative Member
Astheresponsibilityforthelawsgoverningmigrantworkerlivesextendsbetweenimmigrationandemployment,itisimportanttoalsobeincommunicationwiththeStandingCommitteeonCitizenshipandImmigration.ItscurrentmembersasofMay6,2016are:
Name Email ConstituencyOfficeNumber Riding Party Role
BorysWrzesnewskyj [email protected] 416-249-7322 EtobicokeCentre
Liberal Chair
DavidTilson [email protected] 519-941-1832 Dufferin — Caledon
Conservative ViceChair
JennyKwan [email protected] (604)775-5800 VancouverEast NDP ViceChair
ShaunChen [email protected] 416-321-2436 ScarboroughNorth Liberal Member
AliEhsassi [email protected] 416-223-2858 Willowdale Liberal Member
MichelleRempel [email protected] 403-216-7777 CalgaryNoseHill
Conservative Member
[email protected]/MigrantRightsCA/www.migrantrights.ca
16
RandeepSarai [email protected] 604-589-2441 SurreyCentre Liberal Member
BobSaroya [email protected] 905-470-2024 Markham — Unionville
Conservative Member
MarwanTabbara [email protected] 519-571-5509KitchenerSouth — Hespeler
Liberal Member
SalmaZahid [email protected] 416-752-2358 ScarboroughCentre
Liberal Member
MarkWarawa [email protected] 604-534-5955 Langley — Aldergrove
Conservative Member
MinistersandCriticsofImmigration&Employment(asofMay6,2016)
Name Role Email ConstituencyOfficeNumber Riding
MaryAnnMihychuk
MinisterofEmployment,WorkforceDevelopmentandLabour
204-984-6322
Kildonan — St.Paul
RodgerCuzner
ParliamentarySecretarytotheMinisterofEmployment,WorkforceDevelopmentandLabour
[email protected] 902-842-9763 CapeBreton — Canso
JohnMcCallum MinisterofImmigration,RefugeesandCitizenship [email protected] 905-479-8100 Markham —
Thornhill
ArifViraniParliamentarySecretarytotheMinisterofImmigration,RefugeesandCitizenship
[email protected] 416-769-5072 Parkdale — HighPark
GérardDeltell
ConservativePartyEmployment,WorkforceandLabourCritic
[email protected] 418-842-5552 Louis-Saint-Laurent
MichelleRempel
ConservativePartyImmigration,RefugeesandCitizenshipcritic
[email protected] 403-216-7777 CalgaryNoseHill
NikiAshton NDPEmployment,WorkforceandLabourCritic [email protected] 204-677-1333 Churchill —
KeewatinookAski
JennyKwan NDPImmigration,RefugeesandCitizenshipcritic [email protected] (604)775-5800 VancouverEast
[email protected]/MigrantRightsCA/www.migrantrights.ca
17
Tool3C:SamplephonecallguidetobookameetingFollowupyouremailwithaphonecall.Here’sascripttohelpyourorganizeyourthoughts.Remember:keepcallingtillyougetsomeoneonthephone.AndiftheyrefusetosetupameetingwiththeMP,pushforameetingwiththeirParliamentarystaff.Introduceyourself
Hello,mynameis_(yourname)_andIamcallingregardingtheupcomingTemporaryForeignWorkersreviewtakingplaceinParliamentrightnow.Identifyifyouareconstituentorifyouareamigrantworker,orhavedirectexperienceswiththeissue.
Explainwhyyouarecalling
I’dliketodiscussschedulingameetingwith___(MPName)___.IcaredeeplyaboutthetreatmentofmigrantworkersinCanadaandtheneedforthemtogetpermanentimmigrationstatusonlandingandIwouldliketodiscussthisissuewithhim/her.
Askforaresponse
Isthereatimethat__(MP)___isavailabletomeetbeforetheHouserises?OR,ifleavingamessage:
Pleaseletmeknowwhen___(MP)___isavailableinthenextfewweeks.Youcancontactmeby(phoneoremail).
SayThankYou
Thankyouforyourtimeandconsideration.Ilookforwardtothemeetingon__(Date/time)__(or)speakingto___(Name)___on___(Date/time)____.
Ifleavingamessage:
Ilookforwardtohearingbackfromyou.
[email protected]/MigrantRightsCA/www.migrantrights.ca
18
Tool3D:MeetingyourMPface-to-faceKnowhowlongthemeetingisscheduledforandmakeanagendathatisappropriatetothelengthofthemeeting.YoucanusetheStep-by-steptool.
• ReviewanyinformationaboutyourMP§ IsyourMPpartoftheHUMAcommittee?Aretheyamemberofthegovernment(Liberal)
orOpposition(Conservative,BQ,GreenorNDP)?Dotheyhaveaportfoliothatconnectstomigrantworkers?
• Reviewyourgoalandthebackgrounddocumentsattachedhere§ Yougoalistogetthemtounderstandtheneedforpermanentimmigrationstatus,and
openworkpermitsformigrantworkers.§ ReviewtheBackgrounder(Tool1)andFAQ(Tool2)
• Planontakingsomeonewithyouandmakesureyoudecidewheneachpersonwillspeak,leavingtimefortheMPandtheirstafftospeak
Beforeyourmeeting:• SendalongtheBackgrounder(Tool1)totheMPandbringthisinformationinprintedformtothe
meeting.YoucandownloadtheBackgrounderfromourwebsitewww.migrantrights.ca• Contactthepersonyouaremeetingwith1-2daysbeforeyourscheduledmeetingtoconfirm.
• Reviewtheagendathatwehavedevelopedbelow.
Atthemeeting:• Arriveatthemeeting10minutesearly• Bepassionateandrespectful,notargumentativeorconfrontational• Payattentiontobodylanguage-yoursandtheirs• Providespecificexampleswithspecificsolutions–readtheBackgrounderformore• Takenotes;thiscanbedonebythepersonaccompanyingyou• Leavethemwithanyappropriateinformationdocuments• Thankthemfortheirtimeandindicatewhenyouplantofollowup
Afteryourmeeting:• Sendathankyoulettertothepeopleyoumetwith,andincludeanyfollow-upinformationthatyou
promisedtogather.Pleaseccinfo@migrantrights.casoweknowthatyoumetthem.• Followupagainthefollowingweekstoseeiftherehasbeenanyprogressontheissue,including
anycommitmentsmadebybothyouandtheMPatyourmeeting• Continuetofollowupatregularintervalstoaskforprogressreports.
[email protected]/MigrantRightsCA/www.migrantrights.ca
19
Steps Whattosay
Step1Introductions Introduceyourselfandtheotherattendees
Step2Smalltalk-buildingtherelationship
TalkaboutsomethingyoumighthaveincommonwiththeMP,butwatchyourtime:-Didyoureadsomethingabouthim/herinthenewspaper?-Haveyouworkedinthesameindustry?Thisconversationwillhelpyougaugetheirmotivation.
Step3TalkaboutyourMPabouttheissue
-AcknowledgewhatyourMPhasdoneonissuesrelatedtoTemporaryForeignWorkersandthankthem.-MentionhowtheGreens,LiberalsandNDPhaveallpubliclycalledforsomeformofpermanentimmigrationstatus.
Step4Whatdoesyouraudienceknowaboutyourissue?
-Askyouraudiencewhattheyknowaboutmigrantworkers-ExplaintheinjusticesmigrantworkersarefacingoutlinedinthebackgrounderandtheFAQs.-Usestoriesasexamples
Step7–KEYASKWhatdoyouneed?
TellyourMPwhatyouneed:-Tellthemtoadvocateforchangesintheirpartyforopenworkpermits,andpermanentimmigrationstatusonlanding.
Step8Askforacommitment
WhatistheMPpreparedtodotohelp?Whatwilltheydonextandwhen?WhatcanyoudotohelptheMP–trytogetasspecificaspossible-AskthemtowritealetterandspeakdirectlytotheMinisterorCriticofEmployment,WorkforceDevelopmentandLabourandImmigration,andencouragethemtoadvocateforpermanentresidencystatusonlanding,openworkpermitsandundoingrestrictionsonmigrantworkersasoutlinedintheBackgrounder.
Step9Sumupthemeeting
RemindyourMPaboutwhathe/shesaidshewoulddotohelpandwhen:-Acknowledgewhatyouhavecommittedtodoandthankthemfortheirtime.Bookanothermeetingifit’sappropriate.
Follow-upafterthemeeting
WriteabriefemailnotethankingtheMPandincludingwhatactionbothyouandyouraudiencehavepromisedtotakeandwhen-Follow-upifagreed-toactionsarenottakeninagreedtimes.-Letusknowwhathappens.
[email protected]/MigrantRightsCA/www.migrantrights.ca
20
Tool4:LettertotheEditor
Lotsofpeoplereadtheletterstotheeditor.Eveniftheyareshort,lettersareagoodwayofreachingthepublicwithyourissuesorconcerns.Theyareagoodwaytoencouragepeopletodiscussissuesandrespondtothem.
Tipsforwritingletterstotheeditor:
o Focusononeissue
o Thebesttimetowritealetteriswhenthereisanewsstoryaboutmigrantworkerissuesalreadyinthepapersbutrightnowweneedasmanystoriesaspossible
o Keepitshort–100-200wordsmaximum–checkyourlocalnewspaperfortheirwordlength.
o Usewordsandlanguagethatpeopleeasilyunderstand
o Makesureit’sclearwhyyouthinkthisisanimportantissue
o Signyournameandgiveyouraddressandacontacttelephonenumber
o Youcansendlettersbyemail
o Youcanfindthelettertoeditoremailaddressonthewebsiteofthenewspapers.Ifyou’rehavingtrouble,getintouchwithusandwewillworkwithyoutofindit.
SampleLetter
ManypeoplethinkthatthemainproblemwiththeTemporaryForeignWorkersProgram(TFWP)isthattherearetoomanyforeignworkerstakingjobsfromCanadians.Factistherearelessthan100,000migrantworkersand1.3millionunemployedcitizens.Blamingmigrantworkersforunemploymentisaredherring.
Therearerealproblems:Migrantworkersaretiedtotheiremployerandcan’tchangejobs.Theirfamiliescan’tvisitthem,andeventhosethathavecomebacktoCanadaforfortyyearscan’tliveherepermanently.ThepreviousgovernmentmadeitharderforCaregiverstogetpermanentresidenceandtookawaypaternitybenefitsfromagriculturalworkers.
RightnowthefederalgovernmentisreviewingtheTemporaryForeignWorkersProgram.It’stimetomakethingsfair.Thatmeanspermanentimmigrationstatus,openworkpermitsandbasicdignityforall.Seewww.migrantrights.caformore.
FirstName,LastNameAddress,City,PostalCode,TelephoneNumber
[email protected]/MigrantRightsCA/www.migrantrights.ca
21
Tool5:OrganizingPublicEventsOnethingthatwecandoiscreatespacesforpublicconversation.Publiceventscanbeofvarioustypes.Theycanbedinnerdiscussions,panelsorworkshops,moviescreeningsorevenprotestandrallies.Beforeorganizingtheevent,answerthefollowingquestions.
• Whatisthegoaloftheevent?o Aneventmayhaveoneorsomeofthesegoals:
§ Raiseawareness§ Gatherpeoplefordiscussions§ Getpetitionsignatures§ Getintothemedia§ Pressurepoliticianstotakeaction
• Whenisagoodtime?
o Dependingonyourgoals,youmaywanttodoyoueventat12pm(lunchhour),or6pm(afterwork).
o Youmaywanttodoitonaweekend(whenperhapsmorepeoplecancome),oronaweekdayduringtheday(whendecisionmakersarelikelytobeintheiroffice).Ifyouaretryingtogetpetitionsignatures,thebesttimewouldbewhenpeoplemostlikelytosignthesignaturesareinthesameplace(forexampleataFarmer’sMarketoralocalcommunityevent)
• Where?o Dependingonyourgoals,herearesomepossiblelocations:
§ Library,universityorcommunityspace(forafilmscreeningorworkshop)§ Outsideafarmer’smarketorinamallwithalotofmigrantworkers(forpetition
signaturesandflyering)§ OutsideagovernmentbuildingoranMPoffice(ifyouareorganizingamediaevent)
• Whoneedstobeinvolved?
o Canyoupartnerwithacommunityorganizationoraunionlocalorsettlementagencyinthearea?Aretheremigrantworkergroupsthatcanbepartofyoureffort?Canyouconnectthisissuetoenvironmental,foodsustainabilityorothersocialjusticeorganizations?
o Itisbesttoorganizeincoalitionsandwithgroupsthatcansupportyou.
[email protected]/MigrantRightsCA/www.migrantrights.ca
22
Tool5A:OrganizingapubliceventHereisastep-by-stepguidetoorganizingevents3WEEKSBEFORETHEEVENT
• Selectadateandtimeforevent• Selectavenuefortheevent.Youcanplanamovienight,orpanelorworkshopinyourownhome.
Itseasy,andit’sagreatwaytogatheryourfriendsandfamilytogether.Ifyou’dliketogetmoremembersofyourcommunityinvolved,thinkaboutaskingalocalschool,communitycenter,church,movietheater,unionhall,bookstoreorconcertvenuetoletyouholdtheevent.Ifyouaredoingamediaaction,youmayconsiderdoingitoutsideagovernmentbuilding.
• Reachouttoorganizationsinyourcommunitythatmaybeinterestedinsupporting,co-sponsoringorattending.
• Drawupalistofpotentialguests.Remembertoover-inviteasnoteveryonewillbeabletoattend.• Decidewhowillbespeaking–thiscouldbealocalmigrantworkerorganization,orcommunity
activistversedintheissues,aswellassupportersfromdifferenttypesoforganizationswhoaretheretosupportyourask.
• Getintouchwithusandletusknowyouareorganizinganevent.
TWOWEEKSBEFORETHEEVENT
• Confirmthelocationandtimeofyourevent.• Makesureyouhavealltheequipmentyouneed:audiovisualequipment,banners,placards,
posters,petitionsandflyers(getintouchwithusandwewillemailyouobjectsyoucanprint).• Iftheeventisinacommunityspacemakesureyoucanserverefreshmentsthereandorganize
refreshments.• Confirmthespeakersandthefacilitatorsattheevent.• Sendoutanemailinvitationtofamily,friends,grouplistservesand/orotherconcernedactivists.
TrytogetanRSVPsoyouknowhowmanypeopletoexpect.Getintouchwithusifyouwantsamplelanguagetouse.
• Ifyouaredoingacommunity-wideevent,lookintopostingtheannouncementoncommunityeventwebsites,IndyMediawebsites,Craigslist,localpapersorasklocalgroupstoadvertiseontheirwebsite/listserve.Startafacebookeventpage,butmakesureyouarerelyingonmethodsotherthanjustsocialmedia.Youcanreferpeopletothewebsitewww.migrantrights.caformoreinformation.
• Ifyoureventispublic,fillintheblankatthebottomoftheposterswe’llsendyouwiththedate,timeandlocationofyourevent,andputthemuparoundtownoncommunitybulletinboards,coffeeshops,storefronts(makesuretoaskpermission)andoutdoorspaces.
• Ifyouwouldlikemediaattheevent,followthestepstogettingmedia(Tool5B)
[email protected]/MigrantRightsCA/www.migrantrights.ca
23
ONEWEEKBEFORETHEEVENT
• Sendoutareminderemailtoyourguests.• Ifyouaretryingtogetmedia,sendoutamediarelease.SeeTool5B.IIforhowtodraftone.• OneortwodaysbeforetheeventcallpeoplewhoRSVPedtoconfirmthatthey’llattendandsend
outareminderemailaboutthemovienight.Includeamaplinkordirectionstothelocationifnecessary.
• Lookoverthefactsheetsandbackgrounderinthispackage.DAYOF
• Makesuretohavebrochures,factsheets,andthepetitionvisibleandreadilyavailable–youcandownloadthematwww.migrantrights.ca
• Ifyouareplanningtoinvitethemedia,makesureyoucalltheminthemorning,seeTool5B.III.• Introducepeopletoeachotheratthestartifyoucan.• Ifit’sapublicevent,inviteyourspeakersandhavethemspeakoneatatime.Ifyouaregetting
petitionsignatures,discussthekeytalkingpoints(fromtheBackgrounderandFAQ)witheveryoneanddistributecopiesofthepetition.Ifyouareshowingafilm,playthefilm.
• Takesomepictures!IfyouareusingTwitterorFacebookuse#StatusOnArrivaland#MigrantRightsCA
• Don’tforgettoaskallattendantstosignthepetitionbeforetheyleave!FOLLOW-UP
• Sendusanemailandletusknowhowitwent.• Mailusacopyofyoursignedpetitionorscanandemailthemtous.• Emailusyourpicturesoftheeventsowecanpostthemonourwebsite.• Sendoutathankyouemailtoallthosewhoattended.
[email protected]/MigrantRightsCA/www.migrantrights.ca
24
TOOL5B:GettingmediacoverageGettingyourlocalmediacoverageisacriticalstrategyforanycampaign.WhetherthestoryiscoverageofyourMPdelegationvisitoryourpubliceducationevent,orgettingamoregeneralstoryaboutthechangesmigrantworkersneed,usingthemediaisanimportantforumtogetyourmessageout.Again,ifyouneedhelpwithyourmediawork,giveusacall.I.GettingaStoryinYourLocalMediaHerearesometipsforhowtogetyourlocalmediainterested:
• Ifyoudon’tknowwhichmediaoutletsserveyourlocalcommunity,getintouchwithusandwewillhelpyougeneratealist.
• Dosomeresearchtoseewhichparticularjournalistshavecoveredtheissuepreviously.Forexample,lookatnewsarchivesoruseGoogletofindoutwhohasreportedonthisissue.Reporterswhohavecoveredthisissuemaybelookingtoincludeyourviewpointsinanotherstory.
• Contactlocalmediatoseeifthereisareporterthatcoverssocialorsocialjusticeissues.Alsodeveloprelationswithethnic/alternativeandonlinenewsservices.
• Sendthemamediarelasebeforetheevent.• Usethebackgrounder(Tool1)tohelpeducatelocalmediaonwhythisissueisimportanttothe
community.Iftheyunderstandtheissueproperlychancesaretheywillbeabletoconveyyourmessagetothegeneralpublic.
• Evenmediaoutletsthataregenerallynotsympatheticontheseissuesmayhavejournalistswhomayprovidefavourablecoverage.Don’tcountthemout.
• Evenifyourstorydoesnotgetreported,don’tgiveup.Thereportermayhavesubmittedthestorybutitdidn’tgetaccepted.Itmightgetpickeduplater.Keepdevelopingyourrelationshipwiththem.Weareinthisforthelonghaul.
• Mediaoutletsaregoingtoasktointerviewmigrantworkers.Thisshouldbehandledcarefully.Beforeyouapproachthemediatocoveryourstory,workwithyourcoalitiontoseeifsomeoneisinterestedinactingasamediaspokesperson.Andworkwiththemtomakesurethattheyarewellprepared.Discusstheimpactsonthebroadermigrantworkersandmakesuretheyarepreparedtotalkaboutourcampaignobjectives.Iftheywanttoremainanonymous,makesuretheyunderstandthattheiranonymitymaynotbeguaranteedbutworkcloselywiththemediatoensurethattheyrespecttherequestforanonymity.Or,iftheyareOKwithnotbeinganonymous,makesurethattheyunderstandthattheirnameorpicturemayappearinthelocalmedia.
• Takestepstomakesurethatmediaspokespeopledonotgettokenized:theirroleisnottosimplytelltheir‘sadstory’buttoensurethattheycanalsospelloutwhatlawsneedstochange.Asorganizers,ourroleiscriticaltoensurethatmediarelationsaremanagedandthatthoseimpacteddonotbecomevilifiedorthefocusofcommunityresentment.Workwithyourmediaspokespeopleandothersinyourcoalitiontodevelopachecklisttotroubleshootconcernsthatmayarise–suchashowtoprotectanonymityandwhattodoifthereisabacklash.
• Ifthereisnomigrantworkerwillingtospeak,letthemediaknowthisbutofferyourselforyourlocalcoalition’sdesignatedspokespersontosharemoregeneralizedexperiencesandimpacts,andtotalkaboutwhyit’simportantthatmigrantworkersgetpermanentresidentstatus,openworkpermitsandanendtoHarpereraharms.
[email protected]/MigrantRightsCA/www.migrantrights.ca
25
II.HowtoWriteaMediaReleaseAmediareleaseshouldgivereporters,editors,andproducersawrittendocumentaboutanissueorevent,sothattheywillwriteastoryorproduceashowaboutthatissueorevent.Itshouldgivejournaliststhebasicsoftheissue–the“who,what,where,when,andwhy”-allowingthemtofollowupforamoredetailedarticle.Butitshouldalsobewrittenasthoughitisanewspaperarticleitself–somenewspapers,especiallyinsmallercommunities,willpublishanentiremediareleaseverbatim,ifit’swrittenintherightway.Makesurethereleaseiswritteninawaythatcatchesattention.Getintouchwithusandwewillhelp.Format–Whatshouldamediareleaselooklike?Allmediareleasesfollowaspecificformat.Thismakesiteasierforjournaliststounderstandyourstory.
• Getintouchwithusandwewillprovideyouwithareleaseyoucanuse.• Keepitconcise.Besurethewholereleasefitsonone-twopages!• Putyourgroupororganization’slogoorletterheadatthetop.• Indicatethedatethatyou’reissuingtherelease.• Theheadline/titlegoesnext.Itshouldbecenteredonthepageandinboldtype.• Nextisthebodyoftherelease.• Whenthebodyisfinished,type”###”inaseparate,centeredlineatthebottom.Thistells
journaliststhatit’stheendofyourmediarelease.• Ifyou’reprovidingbackgroundinformationasanattachment,write“Backgroundinformation
attached”atthebottom.• Makesuretoincludeacontactnameandphonenumbers(twitteroremailifyouhaveit)so
journalistscangetcontactyouformoreinformation.Andmakesuretocheckyourvoicemail,andemailwhenyousharetheinformation!
Forsamplespressreleases,see:http://migrantrights.ca/en/press/Content–Whatshouldthemediareleasesay?TheHeadline:Aheadlineshouldbecatchyenoughtogettheattentionofthejournalistsothattheyreadthewholemediareleaseand,hopefully,coveryourstory.Itshouldalsobeshortandsuccinct–nomorethan10words.Butitshouldalsostatetheexactreasonfortherelease.TheBody:Keepthebodyofyourmediareleaseshort-aboutfourorfiveshortparagraphs,withnomorethanfoursentencesperparagraph.Thefirstparagraphshouldstatethe“who,what,where,when,andwhy”oftheissueorevent.Useittogettothepointasquicklyaspossible–don’tleavetheimportantinformationfortheendofthemediarelease–putitinthefirstparagraph.
• So,insteadof:OnJuly6,theDirectoroftheLocalCommunityInformationCentreannouncedthathergroupwillbehostinganeventonchangesneededformigrantworkers
• Write:Humanandlabourrightsformigrantworkersneedtobecentraltochange,saysBarbSmith,theDirectoroftheLocalCommunityInformationCentre.
[email protected]/MigrantRightsCA/www.migrantrights.ca
26
Therestofthebodyshouldgivemoredetails,explaintheissueorevent,andemphasizeyourkeypoints.Thinkofyourmediareleaseasatriangle,withthemostimportantinformationatthetopandlessimportantinformationatthebottom.Usingaquoteinthesecondparagraphaddslocalflavorandallowsyoutostateyourgroupororganization’sopinionaboutyourissuerightoffthetop.Quoteyourself,someonewhoisgoingtobeimpacted,orsomeothermemberofyourgroup.Interspersestatisticsandquotesintothemediareleasetosupportyourkeypoints.Makesurethatanyinformationyouprovideisclear,complete,andaccurate.Providesourcesforstatisticsandnamesandtitlesforpeopleyouquote.Keepthetonerelativelyformal,butconversationalandinformative.WheretosendthemediareleaseThinkaboutwhichnewspapers,radiostations,orothermediaoutletsyouwanttocoveryourissueorevent,andtargetyourmediareleasetothem.Sendbyemail:
• theeditorofthenewspaperorareporterwhocoverstheseissues;• theproducersoflocalradiotalkorcall-inshows;and/or• thenewsdepartmentoftheradiostation.
Pitch-callaftersendingthemediareleaseFollowupyouremailwithafriendlyphonecalltoencouragethemediatocoveryourstory.Makesureyoucallonthemorningofyourevent.Hereisasamplescriptyoucanuse.
• Introduceyourself:Goodmorningmynameis___• Tellthemwhyyouarecalling:Iamfollowinguptoseeifyoureceivedamediareleaseabouta
(publicdemonstration/pressconference/event)thatIamhelpingtoorganizearoundtheissueoftemporaryforeignworkersinourcommunity.
• Confirmtheygotthereleaseandifnotsendittothem:Didyoureceivethemediarelease,andareyousendingsomeonetocoverourevent?Ifyouhavenotreceivedthemediarelease,isthereane-mailIcanresenditto(beonyourcomputerandsenditrightthen–askthemiftheyhavereceivedit)
• Tellthemwhyitwillbeagreatstory:ThereisatemporaryforeignworkerreviewtakingplaceinOttawarightnowandthiseventbringsthatconversationhome.Itissomethingweallcareaboutandyourreaders/viewerswillbereallyinterested.
• Iftheysaytheycan’tattend:Ifyouarenotabletosendsomeonetocovertheeventtoday,canIfollowupbysendingashortsummaryandphotos,audioandvideoofwhattranspired?
• Thankthe:Thankyoukindly!