Migrante Canada marks 10 years of serving OFWs

Migrante Canada marks 10 years of serving OFWs

MIGRANTE CANADA delegates at Edmonton event July 31. (Photo: L. Luciano)

By Lea Luciano
The Philippine Reporter

On July 31, leaders, members and allies of Migrante Canada gathered at the Providence Renewal Centre at Edmonton, Alta. to celebrate the organization’s ten years of service and struggle for the Filipino migrants and their families in Canada.

The outgoing chairperson, Sol Pajadura, welcomed everyone with her warm remarks and congratulated Migrante Canada for solidifying the movement and emphasizing its continuous alliance work with various Filipino migrant organizations.

“We couldn’t have reached this milestone in our organizational development without the tireless effort of our leaders, organizers, and members and allies.”

Pajadura highlighted the activities, contributions and political campaigns for migrants’ rights, welfare, and justice amidst the pandemic.

“We have campaigned with Migrante International for the Philippines government to create decent jobs in our country, so we don’t have to leave our families because of poverty,” says Pajadura.

“Let us affirm our commitment to continue our struggle for the rights and welfare of Filipino migrants and justice and democracy for our motherland. Mabuhay and Migranteng Pilipino!

Migrante International Chair Joanna Concepcion joined the event via zoom applauded Migrante Canada for their collective achievements and efforts in promoting and protecting the Filipino migrant community neglected by the Duterte government, especially the undocumented workers.

Concepcion recognized Migrante Canada’s “strong solidarity work in helping to grow and strengthen the migrant workers and immigrants rights movement in Canada [and] organizing alongside fellow migrants and immigrants with different backgrounds against issues such as discrimination and racism, low wages, labour exploitation and to change unjust policy and to implement pro-migrant policies in Canada.”

“A year and a half into the COVID-19 pandemic, we faced many difficulties in carrying the work in serving the people and our community, and yet we persevered, and that is truly inspiring.”

Migrante Canada welcomed their newly elected officers for 2021-2024 coming in from different backgrounds and with fresh perspectives: Chairperson Danilo De Leon, Vice-Chairperson Clarizze Truscott, Secretary-General Stef Martin, Campaigns/Communications Officer Erie Maestro, and Treasurer Jane Ordinario.

The incoming officers encouraged everyone to continue to educate, organize, and mobilize our fellow compatriots especially the vulnerable migrant workers, the undocumented workers.

Newly-elected chairperson, Danilo De Leon, an undocumented worker stressed the importance of being represented in Migrante with the support of his fellow executive committee members.

“Hindi lang ako mag isa, magkakasama tayo dito at it’s a collective work that we have to do, and I know we have a lot of things to do here especially with the Migrante Sector and the Temporary Foreign Workers.”

De Leon stressed the importance of Migrante Canada’s role as a mass-based organization and the work it does for the vulnerable Filipino migrant workers.

“Walang organisasyon na kakalinga at magbibigay malasakit sa mga undokumentong katulad ko. Sa Migrante may pag-asa, ang Migrante, para sa masa!”

The celebration wrapped up with a solidarity night filled with performances from fellow Migrante members, guests, and friends who shared their talent of spoken word and music. The performers for the night were Lyla Luciano from Anakbayan Alberta and Mckenna Rose, one of Migrante Canada’s successful campaigns called Mckenna Rose Law, Merryn Edwards of Women for Rights and Empowerment, Mubarik Adams, Himig Masa, Mila Bonco of Migrante Alberta, Patria Rivera, Ruben Acosta, Clarizze Truscott, and Lui Queano of Malaya Canada.