For Immediate Release
August 6, 2012
Toronto, ON–Preparations are underway for the upcoming national conference entitled “Workers’ Struggles amidst Neoliberal Globalization” where Pete Pinlac, chairperson of leading Philippine labour union central, MAKABAYAN/ Workers for Peoples’ Liberation and internationally-acclaimed novelist Ninotchka Rosca of AF3IRM (Association of Filipinas, Feminist, Fighting Imperialism, Re-feudalization, and Marginalization) are set to speak. They will bring forth their knowledge and experience in organizing, and highlighting the necessity to connect local and international struggles faced by working peoples worldwide. The conference will bring together progressive academics, community organizers, and other members of different communities across Canada to deepen local and global understanding of the economic crisis under neoliberal globalization. “Workers’ Struggles amidst Neoliberal Globalization” will be held at the United Steel Workers’ Hall of Toronto, on August 11th and 12th 2012.
The crisis of neoliberal globalization is now apparent both within countries of the Global North and the Global South. Aggressive neo-liberal policies and Structural Adjustment Programs have left countries of the Global South, such as the Philippines, underdeveloped, agrarian, and without national industries to absorb its labour force. Forced emigration of Filipino workers through the Philippine Labour Export Policy for global labour needs, coupled with aggressive proliferation of the transnational capitalist class and corporations that continue to decimate the local economy, have left Filipino workers in the Philippines with below-subsistence wages and continued violations of their rights as workers. Pete Pinlac will speak on the current situation, struggles and resistance of Filipino workers in the Philippines under neoliberal globalization. Mr. Pinlac will focus on the pivotal role that MAKABAYAN plays in advancing the labour movement in the Philippines towards genuine national democracy reflective of peoples’ needs.
The current context in Canada and other countries of the Global North sees more temporary workers coming through as a means to fill the economic need for cheap labour. To date, the Philippines ranks as one of Canada’s top source of temporary foreign workers. On a global scale, it ranks as one of top labour-export countries in the world. Facilitated through policies of ‘circular migration’, transnational Filipino workers are increasingly and blatantly denied permanence in their own country and the countries they im/migrate into. Ms. Ninotchka Rosca will share her critical perspective on ‘circular migration’ and the rampant use of ‘transnational labour’, exposing this ongoing trend as part of imperialism’s heightening assault on the working class world-wide. Ms. Rosca’s analysis centres on the transformative potential of the transnational working class in building a movement towards ending the exploitative cyclical pattern of labour export-import.
The continuing exploitation of workers within countries of the Global South and the Global North affirms the need to continue building genuine solidarity along working-class lines. ‘Workers’ Struggles amidst Neoliberal Globalization’ will be a historic conference towards strengthening working class solidarity and resistance in North America and beyond.
All are encouraged to register and participate in this two day national conference.
“Workers’ Struggles Amidst Neoliberal Globalization”
National Conference
August 11 & 12, 2012
United Steelworkers Hall
25 Cecil Street
Toronto, ON Canada
Registration fee is $20 (including meals and conference materials)
Organized by the Counterspin secretariat (Congress of Progressive Filipino Canadians & allies)
REGISTER NOW: http://bit.ly/workersconference
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For more information, contact:
Bryan Taguba
(416) 519-2553
ukpc-on@magkaisacentre.org
www.magkaisacentre.org
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