International Workers Day Statement
International Workers Day Statement Congress of Progressive Filipino Canadians National Statement May 3, 2011 The Congress of Progressive Filipino Canadians (CPFC) greets International Worker’s Day with heightened militancy and marks the day as a significant time to reclaim and advance the struggles of the working class all over the world. Initially wrought 125 years ago, International Worker’s Day was born out of the demands and struggles of American workers for an 8 hour work day and safe working conditions during an era where workers’ lives were characterized by long working hours and unsafe conditions that led to countless abuses, injuries and deaths. Today, these same issues arise and worsen as the neoliberal agenda of globalization increases its attacks on the lives of the working class peoples all over the world. Now more than ever, in this time of economic crisis and uncertainty, CPFC encourages all workers to build genuine solidarity to intensify the struggles and resistance against the increasing onslaught brought upon by the neoliberal agenda of globalization. CPFC maintains that advancing the working class struggle can only [...]
Promo Video 4: Advancing the Working Class Struggle
So much to learn, so much to see! Learn why we came to Canada in the first place and celebrate International Workers Day with SIKLAB-ON and UKPC-ON: https://magkaisacentre.org/2011/04/21/intl-workers-day/.
Promo Video 3: Advancing the Working Class Struggle
Listen up & learn about the Canada's labour and immigration programs and how it affects us. 'Cuz we all know we didn't come to Canada just to ski. Come celebrate International Workers Day with the Magkaisa Centre: https://magkaisacentre.org/2011/04/11/working-class-struggle/
Progressive Filipino Canadians call on all Canadians to make their vote count towards genuine democracy
Progressive Filipino Canadians call on all Canadians to make their vote count towards genuine democracy Congress of Progressive Filipino Canadians National Statement April 28, 2011 The Congress of Progressive Filipino Canadians (CPFC) encourages all working class Canadians, before stepping into the voting booth on May 2nd, to cast aside the talking heads on television and examine their own conditions as workers in this country. Rather than getting caught up in the scandals of the political elite, we must go back and examine our struggle in this period of economic crisis. Among other paramount issues, it is necessary to examine the cutbacks to settlement funding, the reduction of sponsorship for parents and grandparents and the continued privatization of healthcare, childcare, eldercare and care for people with disabilities. During this election, we must pay critical attention to the underlying motive of neoliberalism that runs through each platform. While economists and Prime Minister Stephen Harper have argued that Canada is a world leader in recovering from the economic crisis, we must look back and recognize the government cutbacks and austerity measures [...]
Fearlessly reclaiming their role as the true purveyors of history
Toronto, ON–April 21, 2011–An unabashed display of collective brilliance, strength and unity by Filipino Canadian workers will commence at "Advancing the Working Class Struggle: A Critical Look at Canada's Labour and Immigration Programs." Organized by SIKLAB-ON, a progressive Filipino Canadian workers organization, in collaboration with UKPC@UofT/York (Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada/Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance–Ontario at University of Toronto and York University), the celebration and public lecture will expose the true nature of two Canadian labour and immigration policies – namely, the Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP) and the Temporary Foreign Worker’s Program (TFWP) – as brought to life by the stories of Filipino Canadian workers and event panelists. Kicking off at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) Room 5280, this event is set for Saturday, April 30th from 2:00 to 5:00 PM. As the final culmination of UKPC@UofT/York's lecture series and successful round of intense political education, this celebration is surely not one to be missed. When scrutinized through the experiences of the growing Filipino Canadian community, now Canada's 3rd largest visible minority group, a critical [...]
Event Announcement: Advancing the Working Class Struggle
ADVANCING THE WORKING CLASS STRUGGLE: A CRITICAL LOOK AT CANADA'S LABOUR AND IMMIGRATION PROGRAMS SIKLAB Ontario’s (Advance and Uphold the Struggle of Filipino Canadian Workers) Celebration of International Worker’s Day, featuring a panel discussion on the Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP) and the Temporary Foreign Workers Program (TFWP) Saturday, April 30th, 2011, 2:00 - 5:00 PM OISE Room 5280 Ontario Institute for Studies in Education 252 Bloor St. West (above St. George subway station) Venue is wheelchair accessible Free admission Light refreshments will be served Final lecture of UKPC@UofT & York’s series Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada/Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance–Ontario @ University of Toronto and York University In celebration of International Worker’s Day, SIKLAB Ontario, in collaboration with UKPC@UofT and York, ignites their militancy in upholding the working class struggle through a panel discussion on Canada’s labour and immigration programs from the perspective of the Filipino Canadian community. Making up the largest community of temporary foreign workers, live-in caregivers and deskilled immigrants, majority of whom are women, the Filipino Canadian community is relegated to serve as Canada’s pool [...]
Progressive Filipino Canadian workers’ group opposes the criminalization of temporary foreign workers
“Three Amigos” amongst latest round of temporary foreign workers criminalized by neoliberal immigration policies National Statement SIKLAB-Canada March 29, 2011 Toronto ON—SIKLAB-Canada, a national formation of progressive Filipino Canadian workers organizations, demands Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to cease the Three Amigos’ deportation order and to grant their right to remain in Canada. Dubbed as the “Three Amigos,” Arnisito Gaviola, Antonio Laroya and Ermie Zotomayor fill the top ledger of CIC’s list of temporary foreign workers who are slotted for deportation. Now having fulfilled their terms of work after arriving in 2007 to work at a gas station and restaurant in High Prairie, Alberta, their current order for deportation quickens their expiry as “disposable workers” who have already completed their terms under the Temporary Foreign Workers Program (TFWP). SIKLAB-Canada fervently demands to stop the deportation of temporary foreign workers as a call to eradicate the cycle of importing and deporting cheap migrant and immigrant labour, as instrumentalized by Canada to perpetuate the neoliberal agenda of globalization. After dispensing hours of cheap labour at the gas station and restaurant, [...]
2nd public lecture challenged all to reclaim the revolutionary road towards genuine women’s liberation
Toronto, ON – March 14, 2011 – In an empowering and celebratory night featuring a public lecture and a fundraising dinner, collective discussions led by progressive Filipino Canadian women, youth and workers educated over 80 participants on the need to reclaim the revolutionary road towards genuine women’s liberation. Presented by the Philippine Women Centre of Ontario in collaboration with UKPC@UofT (Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada/Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance–Ontario @ University of Toronto), the public lecture and celebration of the 100th year anniversary of International Women’s Day highlighted the fundamental importance of women’s liberation in the working-class struggle. “Reclaiming the Revolutionary Road Towards Women’s Liberation” was held at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), kicking off at 6:00 PM with a dinner and ending off with solidarity performances. As the neoliberal agenda of globalization launches escalating attacks on women, the public lecture challenged all to recognize the revolutionary road as the only path that will lead towards genuine women’s liberation. A conversation led by Cecilia Diocson, Executive Director of the National Alliance of Philippine Women in [...]
Something Else, Something Fierce
Check out "Something Else, Something Fierce" a fundraiser for the National Alliance of Philippine Women in Canada (NAPWC) taking place on Saturday, April 16, featuring some of the fiercest Canadian artists of Filipino ancestry. The major headliner is 3-time Juno-nominated singer Emm Gryner with appearances by Kytami, DJ Miss M, R.Two and more! Aside from the big show in April, there'll be a few events taking place this month to build up excitement about Something Else, Something Fierce. For info, tickets and artist bios, check out napwcsomethingfierce.com.