In Conversation with Mostafa Henaway of the Immigrant Workers Centre

Local 514 host spoke to Mostafa Henaway, a community organizer of the Immigrant Workers Centre to discuss the exploitation of migrants in Montreal. 

Mostafa also discussed companies in Montreal that are guilty of exploiting migrants, including the Dollarama warehouse. The Immigrant Workers Centre has formerly launched a campaign to bring awareness to the mistreatment Dollarama has conducted against their migrant workers, including racism, low pay, accidents without compensation and more. Mostafa also discusses how temp agencies have contributed to the level of exploitation that many migrants face, as businesses, including long term care homes (CHSLDs) outsource temp agencies, not knowing that these workers do not receive the same rights and pay as others. 

Mostafa and LJI journalist Savanna Craig also discussed immigration policies in Quebec, which have changed under the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government, which has decreased and tightened immigration, but has however increased temporary foreign workers. As a result, more migrants are coming into the province, but only here temporarily to contribute to Quebec's economy. After their contract ends, they must return to their home country and cannot use the time they spent working in Canada and Quebec to apply for either Quebec residency or Canadian citizenship.

Mostafa also mentions deportations during the pandemic, how it was temporarily suspended at the beginning of the pandemic, but continued at the beginning of summer. Since deportations resumed, it has been the highest amount of annual deportations in years. 

This live followed the release of episode 2 of Local 514, focused on the exploitation of undocumented people in the workforce. To watch the full episode, click here.